Extensive clinical and statistical studies suggest that individuals with high overall cardiovascular risk in midlife can be identified by their relatively higher values of risk factors at younger ages.To estimate the prevalence and clustering of recognized biological and behavioral cardiovascular disease risk factors among young adults in a neighborhood in Cartagena de Indias. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. A sample of 207 young adults were interviewed in order to obtain information regarding their anthropometric and behavioral characteristics. Each individuals standardized glucaemia and serum lipids were measured.In 80 % (95%CI: 73.6-86.4) family history of cardiovascular disease was present; 37% (95%CI: 30.4-43.6) had behavioral risk factors including physical inactivity, and in 66% (95%CI: 59.5-72.5) atherogenic diet. Alcohol and tobacco consumption were significantly higher in males. Biological risk factor prevalence was 42% (35.3-48.7) for low cHDL, 39% (IC95%: 32.4-45.6) for hypertriglyceridemia, 34% (IC95%: 27.5-40.5), high cLDL, and 21% (IC95%: 15.5-26.5) for metabolic syndrome. The presence of three or more biological risk factors occurred in 30% (IC95%: 23.8-36.2); one or two in 54% (IC95%: 47.2-60.8), and 16% (IC95%: 11.0-21.0) of the participants presented no risk factors.The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in young adults underscores the importance of policies aimed at reducing these factors by prevention strategies.