High blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking are among the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Are they still at the origin of the most serious complications? A new study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, answers this question and thus underlines the importance of prevention.
A risk factor present in 99% of cases
Researchers have studied data of more than 9 million patients in South Korea and nearly 7,000 in the United States. The monitoring of volunteers lasted almost 20 years.
Result: more than 99 % of people who have developed coronary disease, heart failure or stroke presented at least one non -optimal risk factor before their event. More than 93 % had two or more risk factors. Hypertension is the most common factor, it affected 95% of South Korean participants and 93% of Americans. Then came cholesterol, diabetes and tobacco. Even in women under the age of 60 – a group often considered to have the lowest risk – more than 95 % still had at least one non -optimal factor before heart failure or stroke.
“”Even the light elevations of these four factors should be supported by lifestyle changes or medicines “ Estimates Dr. Philip Greenland, professor of preventive medicine at the Northwestern University and main author of the study.
Regarding hypertension, he specifies that “The results recall how important it is to detect and treat it “ Because it is very often “asymptomatic and therefore neglected“.
For Dr. Susan Cheng, cardiologist at the Smidt Heart Institute in Los Angeles, it goes even further. “”It is not because a patient has not been labeled hypertensive or diabetic that his measures do not already show a risk “ she believes to Cnn.
An increased risk linked to the cumulation of factors
The cardiologist and founder to act for the hearts of women, Claire Mounier-Vehier salutes the seriousness of this publication in the first place. “”This study is very interesting. It is based on two very large cohorts of patients. The results are published in a very reliable scientific journal. We can consider that the data is certified “.
According to her, the conclusions of this work refute the belief that heart disease strikes without warning. They highlight the importance of prevention: “The study shows that a cardiovascular accident occurs from an uncontrolled risk factor. And the more these factors persist over time, the more the risk increases“.
Hence the importance of the implementation of screening and follow -up, if necessary. “”In eight out of ten cases, you can avoid entering the disease if these factors are medically controlled. On the contrary, when they are not monitored, they settle in time and aggravate the risks“She insists.
It evokes the concept of vascular load well known to doctors. “It can be lipid, tension, glycemic or smoking: it is the accumulation of years of tobacco, tension, cholesterol or uncontrolled diabetes. This charge accelerates the aging of the arteries”.
Prevent and act early, to avoid any risk
The cardiologist therefore calls for listening to her symptoms: effortlessness of effort, chest pain or unusual fatigue should encourage to consult. Nor should we neglect inheritance.
“”A infarction before 45 years in the family must alert, as is a possible family hypercholesterolemia “.
She finally invites the general public to control his blood pressure regularly. “”Before 40 years, at least once a year; Before 50 years old, twice a year; And beyond, with the three-day technique, three times a day “ recommends Claire Mounier-Vehier.
How to do it? For three consecutive days, you must take your blood pressure morning and evening, twice. Do not change your arms, and make the measurements with an interval of one minute. Before bringing the results to his attending physician to discuss it.
In short, the message from the specialist is clear: reduce your risk factors, detect and treat yourself!