Cardiovascular risk factors in Iranian adults according to educational levels: Isfahan healthy heart program

There is abundant evidence that the socioeconomic status (SES) is inversely associated with CVD risk factors. The objective of this study is to describe the distribution of CVD risk factors according to educational level in Iranian adults. A cross-sectional survey was performed on subjects over the age of 19 in three cities. Demographic data, as well as information on educational level and smoking habits was obtained and then height, weight and blood pressure measurement and blood sampling were arranged. Data was analyzed by the Mantel-Haenszel, Kendalls T correlation and multivariate analysis test. Of 9587 subjects, 48% were men and 52% were women, with mean ages of 39.0+/-15.3 and 38.8+/-14.5 years, respectively. All CVD risk factors showed an inverse relationship with educational level in all subjects, except for smoking and low HDL-C in women. High TC and LDL-C and low HDL-C were inversely related to educational level (P<0.05); however, this relationship was not significant with Mantel-Haenszel test in men. The association between CVD risk factors and educational level in women was stronger than in men. The differences found between CVD risk factors with educational level are important and should be considered in programs designed to increase level of education in order to lower CVD risk factors.