Modifiable Risk Factors Account for a Majority of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality

Metabolic factors, such as hypertension, are the largest contributors to CVD risk, and behavioral factors, such as tobacco use, are the largest contributors to mortality risk.

To assess the worldwide impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and contributing risk factors, researchers used data from PURE, a prospective cohort study of people in 21 countries from five continents (NCT03225586). Countries were stratified by income level; 11% of participants were from high-income countries (HICs), 66% from middle-income countries (MICs), and 23% from low-income countries (LICs).

The authors evaluated associations of 14 modifiable risk factors with total mortality and CVD (CV death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure) in over 150,000 people without CVD at baseline. Results during a median follow-up of 9.5 years were as follows:

Overall, about 70% of cardiovascular disease and deaths were attributed to modifiab…

Reviewing Author

Karol E. Watson, MD, PhD, FACC

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBoehringer Ingelheim; Amgen; Novartis; Lilly; Amarin

Speaker’s BureauBoehringer Ingelheim

Grant/Research SupportNIH

Editorial BoardsCirculation (Associate Editor)