Metabolic risk factors of cardiovascular diseases accumulate already in the working-aged – results from the Healthy Finland 2023 survey

Background Cardiovascular (CVD) and other arterial diseases cause significant health care service expenditure and years of life lost for the population in Finland. Monitoring the prevalence and accumulation of risk factors aims to find solutions to reduce the future morbidity of the population.

Methods The data consisted of individuals aged 20 to 69 who participated in the Healthy Finland health examination survey. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and blood samples were taken to determine cholesterol and sugar levels. In addition, self-reported information was collected on medical conditions and medication use. Data on the purchase of medicines were obtained from the Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland) register.

Results The most common risk factors in the working age population were hypercholesterolemia and abdominal obesity. Only one fifth of the participants had no metabolic risk factors for CVD. In addition, about one fifth had previously undetected hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or diabetes. At least three risk factors were present in a quarter of the working age people.

Conclusions The prevalence of CVD risk factors remains a major threat to future morbidity, mortality and increased health care costs in the population. These factors can be improved through different societal measures, for example health-related taxation.

Lara Lehtoranta, Suvi Parikka, Jonna Ikonen, Katri Sääksjärvi, Jouni Lahti, Seppo Koskinen, Pekka Jousilahti, Satu Männistö, Annamari Lundqvist