Hyperlipidemia as a Risk Factor for Persons in Specific Professions

INTRODUCTION: The increase in lipid levels associated with other risk factors for the occurrence of ischemic heart disease and stroke is one of the most important health problems in the world. Risk for development of changes is greater for people of specific occupations such as police officers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 300 police officers, 150 as experimental and 150 respondents as a control group. To both groups same methods have been applied: A detailed history, physical examination, complete laboratory evaluation, lipid electrophoresis targeted to hypercholesterolemia, ultrasound of the abdomen and Color Doppler of the neck vascular structures. The results obtained by statistical analysis of the data showed that there was a significant increase in levels of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in experimental compared to the control group. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed fatty infiltrated liver in 16% of respondents from the experimental and 2% of the respondents in the control group 2%. Color Doppler of the neck blood vessels in 14% of respondents from experimental group showed changes in blood vessels, which ranged from mild thickening of the intima of the vessel to a 50% decrease in circulation. For the control group, this percentage was 0.66%. Considering that this study involved young, active working population, hyperlipidemia becomes a bigger problem.