Cardiovascular disease risk profile among young Saudi women of Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the level of risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among young Saudi women living in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. METHODS As part of "The Heart Protection Campaign" in the Al-Qassim region, data were collected from Saudi women using questionnaires as well as objective measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, and blood glucose. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Only 15% of the sample were free of risk factors, the majority had either one (57.5%) or two (20.8%) risk factors. Additionally, 6.7% were considered to be at high-risk with three or more risk factors. The most common risk factors were physical inactivity (74%) and overweight/obesity, (25%/29%). There was a significant increase in the number of risk factors across age groups. Women over the age of 30 were more likely to have a higher number of risk factors than the younger women (20-24 years). CONCLUSIONS Young women in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia have an unusually high risk for CVD. Since the number of risk factors increases substantially between the ages of 20 and 35, there is a need to develop prevention programs to lower the CVD risk through diet and exercise.