The ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular prevention and a focus on old and new risk factors

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in Cuba. Lifestyle risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in Cubans have not been compared to risk factors in Cuban Americans. Articles spanning the last 20 years were reviewed. The data on Cuban Americans are largely based on the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES), 1982–1984, while more recent data on epidemiological trends in Cuba are available. The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus remains greater in Cuban Americans than in Cubans. However, dietary preferences, low physical activity, and tobacco use are contributing to the rising rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and CHD in Cuba, putting Cubans at increased cardiovascular risk. Comprehensive national strategies for cardiovascular prevention that address these modifiable lifestyle risk factors are necessary to address the increasing threat to public health in Cuba.

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The 2021 ESC guidelines on cardiovascular prevention: Whether the ends justify the means

European Journal of Internal Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.ejim.2021.11.012 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Claudio Cimminiello ◽

Charalambos Vlachopulos ◽

Marco De Carlo

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Prevention ◽

Esc Guidelines

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Ethnicity, cardiovascular diseases and italian cardiology in an evolving society

Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease ◽

10.4081/monaldi.2009.327 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Sabino Scardi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cardiovascular Prevention ◽

Western World ◽

Italian Population ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Diagnostic Skills ◽

Individualize Care ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Non native residents form around 7-8% of total italian population. In these people, as for virtually all population groups living in the western world, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death. But there are striking ethnic differences in CVD risk factors. The disease presentation may also differ, challenging diagnostic skills, and therapeutic requirements and responses may also be not uniform. The overall health of our society will be largely determined by success in improving the health for minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Therefore, it is essential that all healthcare providers understand how to recognize, diagnose, and treat CVD risk in these patient groups. To achieve these goals, the Italian Federation of Cardiology, and the affiliated Italian Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (GICR-IACPR) must implement programs that aim to educate clinicians about the unique peculiarities of CVD and associated risk factors in minority groups, in order to improve diagnosis and individualize care in these populations.

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Global Risk Stratification to Improve Cardiovascular Prevention: Integration of Traditional Risk Factors, Emerging Risk Factors, and New, Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging

The American Heart Hospital Journal ◽

10.1111/j.1541-9215.2005.04688.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 265-268

Author(s):

Neil L. Coplan ◽

Alexander Chernobelsky

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Stratification ◽

Cardiovascular Prevention ◽

Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

Global Risk ◽

Emerging Risk ◽

Traditional Risk Factors

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Secondary prevention and cardiovascular care across Europe: A survey of European Society of Cardiology members’ views

European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing ◽

10.1177/1474515119877999 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 201-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Donna Fitzsimons ◽

Janina Stępińska ◽

Mary Kerins ◽

Massimo F Piepoli ◽

Loreena Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Secondary Prevention ◽

European Society ◽

Guideline Implementation ◽

Cardiovascular Prevention ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Provision Of Services ◽

Esc Guidelines ◽

European Society Of Cardiology ◽

Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction: Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease is a significant clinical challenge and despite European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines, evidence confirms sub-optimal patient care. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate ESC members’ opinions on the current provision of cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation services across Europe and explore barriers to guideline implementation. Method: Electronic surveys using a secure web link were sent to members of the ESC in eight purposively selected ESC affiliated countries. Results: A total of 479 professionals completed the survey, of whom 67% were cardiologists, 8.6% general physicians, 8.2% nurses and 16.2% other healthcare professionals. Respondents were predominantly (91%) practising clinicians, generally highly motivated regarding cardiovascular disease prevention, but most reported that secondary prevention in their country was sub-optimal. The main barriers to prevention were lack of available cardiac rehabilitation programmes and long-term follow-up, patients’ disease perception and professional attitudes towards prevention. While knowledge of the prevention guidelines was generally good, practices such as motivational counselling and better educational tools were called for to promote exercise, smoking cessation and for nutritional aspects. Conclusions: The provision of services focusing on the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease varies greatly across Europe. Furthermore, despite ESC Guidelines and a strong evidence base supporting the efficacy of secondary prevention, the infrastructure and co-ordination of such care is lacking. In addition patient motivation is considered poor and some professionals remain unconvinced about the merits of prevention. The disappointing results outlined in this survey emphasise that improved tools are urgently required to educate both patients and professionals and confirm the priority of cardiovascular prevention internationally.

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