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The purpose of this study was to determine if cardiovascular (CV) nurses exhibit lower coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors than the nation. The CHD risk factors measured were: prehypertension, hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, increased waist circumference (WC), cigarette smoking, and the presence of diabetes. When compared to US national averages, CV nurses in northeast Ohio demonstrated lower rates of smoking and abdominal obesity. No significant differences were found in cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, incidence of diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. These CV nurses did demonstrate higher blood pressures when compared to national averages for prehypertension. These findings illustrate a need to address CV nurses' specific CHD risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]