The 21‐year follow‐up of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study: risk factor levels, secular trends and east–west difference

. Objectives. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study is an on‐going multicentre study of atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and young adults. We have collected risk factor data in the 21‐year follow‐up performed in 2001. The aims of this analysis were to examine the levels, secular trends and east–west difference in risk factors amongst young adults. Design. Population based follow‐up study. Subjects. A total of 2283 participants aged 24–39 years in 2001 (63.5% of the original cohort). Main outcome measures. Levels of serum lipids, apolipoproteins, blood pressure and smoking. Results. The mean serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in 24–39‐year‐old adults were 5.16, 3.27, 1.29 and 1.34 mmol L−1, respectively. Total cholesterol (5.21 vs. 5.12 mmol L−1, P = 0.046), HDL cholesterol (1.31 vs. 1.28 mmol L−1, P = 0.027), systolic blood pressure (118 vs. 115 mmHg, P