Multi-centre study between five Finnish universities

Started in 1980

3,596 participants aged 3-18 years at baseline

Over 350 publications and over 30 PhD thesis

The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study is one of the largest follow-up studies into cardiovascular risk from childhood to adulthood. The main aim of the Young Finns Study is to determine the contribution made by childhood lifestyle, biological and psychological measures to the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

In 1980, over 3,500 children and adolescents all around Finland participated in the baseline study. Thereafter these subjects have been followed with several examinations including comprehensive risk factor assessments. The follow-up studies have been conducted mainly with 3-year intervals.

The 27-year follow-up was performed in 2007. Over 2,200 young adults, now aged 30 to 45 years, participated in the study. As well as in the 21-year follow-up in 2001, ultrasound examinations were performed to study early structural and functional atherosclerotic vascular changes. The protocol included measurements of carotid artery intima-media thickness, carotid artery elasticity and brachial artery flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent, dilatation.