Over 99% Had at Least One Abnormal Risk Factor Before Onset
Most people who have experienced heart attacks, strokes, or heart failure had at least one risk factor, such as high blood pressure, prior to the onset of their condition.
On September 30, the Dong-A Ilbo cited the results of an analysis of more than 600,000 cases of cardiovascular disease in Korea and 1,000 cases in the United States.
The study was led by Yonsei University College of Medicine and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in the United States. It was published on September 29 (local time) in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
The research team tracked the health data of over 9.3 million Korean adults and about 7,000 American adults for up to 20 years to analyze risk factors present before the onset of cardiovascular disease. They also examined how frequently traditional risk factors-such as blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and smoking-were present prior to the development of cardiovascular disease.
The researchers used the American Heart Association’s (AHA) definition of ideal cardiovascular health as a standard. Suboptimal status was defined as follows: ▲ Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg or higher, or under treatment ▲ Total cholesterol: 200 mg/dL or higher, or under treatment ▲ Fasting blood glucose: 100 mg/dL or higher, diabetes diagnosis, or under treatment ▲ Past or current smoking.
In a secondary analysis, the team also identified clinically elevated risk factors (using higher thresholds commonly applied by physicians). These were: ▲ Blood pressure: 140/90 mmHg or higher ▲ Total cholesterol: 240 mg/dL or higher ▲ Fasting blood glucose: 126 mg/dL or higher ▲ Current smoking.
Through regular health examination records, the researchers also investigated the extent to which individuals had issues with blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, or smoking years before their first cardiovascular event. The results showed that in both Korea and the United States, more than 99% of people who developed coronary heart disease, heart failure, or stroke had at least one abnormal risk factor before onset. Additionally, 93% had two or more risk factors.
High blood pressure affected 95% of Korean patients and over 93% of American patients. Even among women under 60-considered to have the lowest risk for cardiovascular disease-more than 95% had at least one risk factor.
Meanwhile, cardiovascular disease is known to be the leading cause of death worldwide, and heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea. To prevent sudden cardiovascular events during seasonal transitions, it is important to maintain body temperature. When going outdoors or engaging in outdoor activities, it is advisable to wear several thin layers of clothing to flexibly respond to changes in weather and body temperature, and to avoid exercising early in the morning.
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