TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Zaman, Taylan
AU  -  Nazife Iincilay Tirsioglu
AU  -  Safiye Kubra Cetindag Karatrli
AU  -  Munire Kubra Ozgok Kangal
T1  -  Cardiovascular risk profiles in divers and non-diving individuals: a Framingham Risk Score analysis
PY  -  2026
Y1  -  2026-06-01
JO  -  Medicina dello Sport
JA  -  Med Sport
VL  -  79
IS  -  2
SP  -  75
EP  -  82
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  1827-1863
Y2  -  2026/07/24
N2  -  Summary. Background. Diving involves exposure to hyperbaric conditions and unique physiological stressors that may influence cardiovascular health. However, data comparing cardiovascular risk profiles between divers and non-divers remain limited. Objective. To compare cardiovascular risk profiles between divers and non-diving individuals using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). Methods. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 114 male divers and 93 age-matched non-diving males were evaluated. Age, blood pressure, lipid parameters, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index were obtained from medical records. Ten-year cardiovascular risk was assessed using the FRS. Analyses were performed for the overall cohort and according to age groups (≤35 and >35 years). Results. No significant differences were observed between divers and non-divers in overall FRS points or estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk. Among individuals older than 35 years, divers demonstrated significantly lower FRS scores and lower estimated cardiovascular risk percentages than non-divers. Older divers also had lower rates of smoking and hypertension, whereas HDL cholesterol levels were higher. LDL cholesterol levels were higher among divers aged >35 years. Additionally, the proportion of individuals without cardiovascular risk factors was greater among divers. Conclusions. While overall cardiovascular risk profiles were similar between groups, older divers exhibited more favorable cardiovascular risk characteristics than non-divers. These findings may reflect differences in lifestyle characteristics and medical surveillance between divers and non-divers. Prospective studies are warranted to further investigate the relationship between diving and cardiovascular risk.
ER  -