Objetivo Relatar a prevalência de fatores de risco coronariano em atletas de alto nível. Métodos Oitenta e oito atletas (62 homens) que representaram o Brasil nos Jogos Olímpicos de Seul em 1988 dentro do Projeto SEUL/COB/AMIL. Foram analisados os seguintes fatores de risco: história familiar de cardiopatia isquêmica, hipercolesterolemia (colesterol-total e subfrações), hipertensão arterial, intolerância à glicose, tabagismo e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE). As médias de colesterol-total, HDL-colesterol e da relação colesterol-total/HDL-colesterol dos atletas masculinos e femininos foram comparadas pelo teste-t de Student para amostras independentes. A distribuição da prevalência do número de fatores de risco por sexo foi analisada através do qui-quadrado. Resultados História familiar de cardiopatia isquêmica foi referida por 11 (12,5%) atletas. Tabagismo regular foi relatado por 12 (13,6%) atletas. Nenhum atleta era hipertenso ou apresentava intolerância à glicose. HVE foi diagnosticada ecocardiograficamente em 36 (40,9%) atletas. A média do colesterol-total nos homens foi de 172 ± 36 mg/dl e nas mulheres, 187 ± 34 mg/dl. O HDL-colesterol foi em média 46 ± 10 mg/dl nos homens e 60 ± 13 mg/ dl nas mulheres. A média da relação colesterol total/HDL-colesterol foi de 4,02 ± 1,39 mg/dl nos homens e 3,21 ± 0,74 mg/dl nas mulheres. A diferença entre os níveis de colesterol-total entre os sexos não foi significante (p > 0,05). A diferença entre os sexos na relação colesterol-total/HDL-colesterol e HDLcolesterol foi significante (p 0,05). Conclusão É importante investigar a presença de fatores de risco coronariano nos exames de rotina do atleta.Purpose To report the prevalence of coronary risk factoris in elite athletes. Methods The prevalence of coronary risk factors was determind in 88 athletes (62 men and 26 women) who participate representing Brazil, in the Olympic Games at Seul in 1988, in the Project SEUL/COB/AMIL. The risk factors analyzed were: family history of coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia (totalcholesterol and subfractions), hypertension, glucose intolerance, smoking and left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH). We compared the mean values of total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and the relation of total-cholesterol/HDLcholesterol between men and women with unpaired Students t Test. The distribution of risk factors prevalece by sex was analysed with the chi-square test. Results Family history of coronary heart disease was detected in 11 (12.5%) athletes. Smoking was found in 12 (13.6%) athletes. There was no one with hypertension or glucose intolerance. LVH was diagnosed with the echocardiogram, in 36 athletes (40.9%). Total-cholesterol mean was 172 ± 36 mg/dl in men and 187 ± 34 mg/dl in women. HDL-cholesterol mean was 46 ± 10 mg/dl in men and 60 ± 13 mg/dl in women. Total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol mean was 4.02 ± 1.39 mg/dl in men and 3.21 ± 0.74 mg/ dl in women. The difference between total-choresterol in mean and women was not statistically significant (p < 0.05). HDL-cholesterol and total-cholesterol/ HDL-cholesterol means were statistically different (p < 0.05). Prevalence distribution of the number of risk factors by sex were not statistically different (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results shows how important is to look for coronary risk factors in elite athletes