Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases among Employees of Ilam University of Medical Sciences

Aims Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are the main causes of death and have the first place among other diseases throughout the world. Studying the situation of risk factors for CVDs seems necessary in Iran at various periods. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among the employees of Ilam University of Medical Sciences in order to design appropriate educational interventions. Instruments & Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, which was conducted in 2017, 294 employees of Ilam University of Medical Sciences participated after presenting written consent forms. To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed and applied after verifying the validity and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha greater than 0.8). Eventually, the data were analyzed, using SPSS 16 and appropriate statistical methods. Findings Generally, 46.3% of the participants had a history of CVDs, 21.8% had a history of death caused by these diseases in their family, and 69.4% had a history of death caused by CVD among their relatives; 72.4% of the participants did not exercise daily and the mean daily exercise of participants was 8.08±1.51 minutes. Totally, 41.5% of the participants were taking solid oil, 78.6% were high-fat dairy consumers, and 41.2% consumed red meat more than twice a week. Conclusion Performance of the participants in terms of physical activity and consuming fruits and vegetables, fish, red meat, and fatty foods is undesirable, indicating the unhealthy lifestyle of people and their exposure to CVDs.