This study investigates the cardiovascular risk factors in young adults in the interior of northeastern Brazil. This quantitative study conducted with 351 young adults from school 12 public schools in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceará, at random selected and stratified by school and turn. The results were mostly female, mixed, combining study and work, without a partner and living with their parents. There was physical inactivity (57.3%), obesity/ overweight (19.4%), adding salt to food (54.4%), alcohol intake (76.1%), hypertension (1.1%) with 50 % of non-adherence to treatment, diabetes mellitus (0.6%) and family history of cardiovascular disease (86.3%). To characterize the cardiovascular risk in young adults directs health actions and potential partnerships with schools.