Background
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Primary prevention plays an essential role in reducing major CV risk factors. Many studies examined the effect of behavioural intervention on intermediate or process measures but only a few on patient outcomes. We aimed to describe patient profiles regarding their CV risk factors through demographic, clinical and biological data, their diseases, treatment and co-morbidities. Methods
We studied 229 patients in a cross-sectional study in primary care in Switzerland, in 2015- 2016. Clinical and biological measurements were assessed. Self-reported lifestyle behaviours, diseases, treatment and medical history were collected. Groups of patients were established based on the GSLA (Swiss Atherosclerosis Association) CV risk stratification.
Results
The proportion of patients at low, medium and high CV risk were 70.7 (n=162), 12.7 (n=29) and 16.6% (n=38) respectively. Retired status and low income (<4500 CHF) were associated with higher risk (p<0.001). There was no significant association between CV risk and perceived health, lifestyle, and opinion on CV prevention (p>0.05). According to self-reported diagnostic of hypertension, prevalence was 48.3% (n=14) and 26.3% (n=10) in medium and high risk patients respectively. The proportion of treated hypertensive patients is greater in those with a diagnosis than in those with a high systolic pressure at measurement. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 10.3% (n=3) and 15.8% (n=6) in medium and high risk patients. All of them were treated. High LDL (≥4.9 mmol/L) was measured in 65.8% (n=25) in high risk patients, of whom 12.0% (n=3) were treated. Prevalence of diabetes was 10.3% (n=3) and 10.5% (n=4) in medium and high risk patients respectively, of whom 66.7% (n=2) and 75.0% (n=3) were treated.
Conclusion
As low income significantly increased CV risk, GPs should pay particular attention to people of low SES when monitoring CV risk. Most medium and high-risk patients with a known diagnostic of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or diabetes were treated. Conversely, not all patients with high systolic blood pressure or high LDL were treated...