Tiffe T, et al. - This study was implemented to investigate the adoption of adequate risk factor control and its determinants in the general population free of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High prevalence of vascular risk factors was reported. In addition to insufficient identification and control of vascular risk factors, a considerable potential to improve adherence to cardiovascular guidelines for primary prevention was also highlighted in the findings.

Methods

• Researchers performed this study using data from the Characteristics and Course of Heart Failure Stages A-B and Determinants of Progression (STAAB) Cohort Study, a population-based study of inhabitants aged 30 to 79 years from the general population of Würzburg (Germany).
• They identified proportions of participants without established CVD meeting targets for risk factor control recommended by 2016 ESC guideline.
• They evaluated determinants of the accumulation of insufficiently controlled vascular risk factors (three or more).

Results

• Data showed inclusion of 1379 participants without CVD, between December 2013 and April 2015; mean age was 53.1 ± 11.9 years and 52.9% were female; 30.8% were physically inactive, 55.2% overweight, 19.3% current smokers.
• Researchers noted prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus in 31.8%, 57.6%, and 3.9%, respectively.
• Findings demonstrated that treatment goals were not reached despite medication in 52.7% of hypertensive, in 37.3% of hyperlipidemic and in 44.0% of diabetic subjects.
• In addition, it was also observed that insufficiently controlled risk was associated with male sex (OR 1.94, 95%CI 1.44–2.61), higher age (OR for 30–39 years vs. 70–79 years 4.01, 95%CI 1.94–8.31) and lower level of education (OR for primary vs. tertiary 2.15, 95%CI 1.48–3.11).