Assessing Cardiovascular Risk Among Polish Soldiers: Insights Using the POL SCORE Tool

Background/Objectives: Maintaining the health and operational readiness of military personnel is a strategic priority, particularly in the context of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which remain a significant public health challenge in Poland. Despite a decline in mortality rates between 2006 and 2012, Poland continues to report higher premature mortality rates compared to the OECD average. This study highlights the importance of effective risk assessment and management strategies, employing the POL SCORE scale, an adaptation of the European Society of Cardiology's Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) project. Methods: This study included 196 participants, comprising soldiers and civilian employees of the Ministry of National Defense, to assess their 10-year cardiovascular mortality risk. Data were collected using clinical evaluations and self-reported questionnaires. Results: Findings revealed that 66.3% of participants were at moderate risk, with significant differences observed based on gender and education level. Notably, the average triglyceride level was 219.3 +/- 114.31 mg/dL in the very high-risk group, compared to 97.4 +/- 41.31 mg/dL in the low-risk group. Stress, reported by 88.2% of participants, emerged as the most prevalent work-related risk factor. Alarmingly, a lack of awareness regarding cardiovascular risk factors was observed, particularly among high-risk individuals. Conclusions: This study underscores the need for targeted health education, regular preventive screenings, and psychological support, particularly among military personnel. These interventions are crucial to mitigating the burden of CVDs and ensuring the operational readiness of armed forces.