Lifestyle behaviours in patients with established cardiovascular diseases: a European observational study

Abstract

BackgroundPatients who have experienced a cardiovascular clinical event such as a myocardial infarction or stroke qualify for intensive risk factor evaluation and management.The aim of this study is to explore lifestyle changes as well as the achievement of targets for risk factors in patients with established cardiovascular disease.MethodsCross-sectional study conducted in primary care practices. The study was carried out in six European countries (Croatia, France, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey). Patients with established cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease and stroke) attended in primary care were selected and assessed from January to June 2016. Patients were recruited and assessed at the practice by research assistants between 6 months and 3 years after the event. Statistical comparisons were done with the unpaired two-sided Student’s t-test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical variables.ResultsNine hundred and seventy-three patients (32.4% females) were assessed. About 14% of them were smokers, 32% were physically inactive, and 30% had nutritionally poor eating behaviours. LDL cholesterol target value below 70 mg/dl was achieved in about 23% of patients, and in general, women were less cardio-protected by drugs than men.ConclusionsMany patients with established cardiovascular disease who attended in general practice still fail to achieve the lifestyle, risk factor, and therapeutic targets set by European guidelines. These results are relevant to general practitioners because these patients have a high risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, including MI, stroke, and death.

Level of physical activity is positively correlted with perceived impact on life 12 months after stroke: A cross-sectional study

“…Variables that are shown to be important for PA and/or stroke outcome were assessed in the study; including age (24), sex (26), smoking status ("yes" corresponds with ≥ 1 cigarette/day, or quit during the last 3 months) (27), previous cerebrovascular disease (CVD) ("yes" corresponds to diagnosis of at least one of the following diseases prior to stroke: heart failure, ischaemic heart failure, hypertension, angina, hypercholesterolaemia, aortic insufficiency, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarct, prosthetic heart valve, or rheumatic valvular heart disease) (27), living arrangements ("living alone" or "sharing household with another adult") and occupational status ("working" ≥75% fulltime work, or "not working" <75%) (28).…”

Practical Decision Algorithms for the Use of the Cardiovascular Polypill in Secondary Prevention in Europe

“…Likewise, among the 84% that were on lipid-lowering drugs, up to 68% of them were not at target LDL-c <70 mg/dl ( 8 ). Another European cross-sectional study conducted in 973 patients with established CVD (coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke) being attended in primary care showed that LDL-c target value below 70 mg/dl was achieved in about 23% of patients, and about 75% of patients reached the <140/90 mmHg target for BP ( 37 ).…”

Assessment of the Health Behaviours and Value-Based Health Analysis of People Aged 50+ Who Were Hospitalized Due to Cardiovascular Disease

“…Health behaviours that positively influence human health-apart from one's self-control, responsibility for one's own health, and a positive attitude-are mainly a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and an adequate amount of sleep per day. Disease risk factors and thus negative health behaviours include smoking, incorrect diet, low or no physical activity, and alcohol abuse [4,5,[11][12][13]. The unsatisfactory health situation of the Polish population, with a tendency to deteriorate in some spheres, requires specific health and preventive measures.…”

“…The unsatisfactory health situation of the Polish population, with a tendency to deteriorate in some spheres, requires specific health and preventive measures. The study and analysis of health behaviours create an opportunity to diagnose the areas of ignorance in the field of health care, to determine the risks and harmfulness, as well as to determine the scale of the problem in order to prevent irregularities or pathologies [4,12].…”

“…It should be noted that the contemporary society is ageing [10][11][12][13][14]. Life expectancy in Poland increases but it remains significantly shorter than the average in the European Union (EU) by approximately 4 years.…”