Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Subgroups of College Students at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Background and Purpose: To examine the co-occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors and cluster subgroups of college students for cardiovascular risks. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted using co-occurrence patterns and hierarchical clustering analysis in 158 college students. Results: The top co-occurring cardiovascular risk factors were overweight/obese and hypertension (10.8%, n = 17). Of the total 34 risk factors that co-occurred, 30 of them involved being overweight/obese. A six-cluster-solution was obtained, two clusters displayed elevated levels of lifetime and 30-year cardiovascular disease risks. Conclusions: The hierarchical cluster analysis identified that single White males with a family history of heart disease, overweight/obese, hypertensive or diabetes, and occasionally (weekly) consumed red meat, take antihypertensive medication, and hyperlipidemia were considered the higher risk group compared to other subgroups.

Prevalence and clusters of modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors among intra- city commercial motor vehicle drivers in a Nigerian metropolitan city

“…Several studies have reported prevalence of clusters of CVD risk factors in the general population. [19][20][21] Few studies have identified cluster types based on sleep pattern 22 , behavioural characteristics 23 , and cardiometabolic health 24 in CMVDs, yet little is known about clusters of CVDs risk factors among CMVDs; though the prevalence of these risk factors have been well described in this group. 25,26 Evidence-based practices have shown that chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are better treated together since they often occur in clusters.…”