Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Related Medical and Lifestyle Interventions Among Italian Cardiovascular Specialists: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Abstract

Introduction Physicians and researchers in the cardiovascular field are constantly engaged in the promotion of guidelines-directed preventive measures, but whether they are themselves adherent to the same recommendations was only sporadically examined. Aim To assess awareness of self-exposure to cardiovascular risk factors and related management among cardiovascular specialists. Methods During the National Conference of the Italian Society of Hypertension (October 2022), a pilot observational study on consecutive volunteer cardiovascular specialists was conducted. Participants underwent standard sitting and standing blood pressure (BP) measurements and answered a questionnaire regarding modifiable/non modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and related treatments. Based on self-declarations and actual measurements, BP was classified as optimal, normal, high-normal BP, and new hypertension in untreated participants, and as treated/untreated pre-existing hypertension. Controlled hypertension was defined as BP < 140/90 mmHg; age-adjusted lower targets were also applied, according to guidelines. Results In total, 62 participants (30 F, mean age 43.2 ± 14.8 years) were enrolled; 79% reported regular physical activity; 53% of women and 38% of men were on a low-salt diet. After smoke (19.4%), dyslipidemia was the second most common risk factor (17.7%), often occurring with high BP (26.3%) and left untreated (36.7%). Pre-existing hypertension (11.3%) was often uncontrolled (57.1%) and associated with non-adherence to guidelines-directed lifestyle recommendations. About one in 12 participants was unaware of having high measured BP values. Conclusions Despite the specific professional exposure, a margin for improvement in self cardiovascular risk factors awareness and management remains in this exploratory sample of cardiovascular specialists. This pilot research anticipates forthcoming, larger studies during national and international conferences. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40292-023-00578-1.

Genetic, lifestyle and metabolic factors contributing to cardiovascular disease in the Italian population: a literature review

“…Individuals showing high adherence to the MedDiet corresponded to those with the highest nutritional knowledge and, conversely, those with low adherence showed the lowest nutritional knowledge ( 45 ). However, greater knowledge or awareness of cardiovascular health and main CVD factors does not always translate into better self-care or risk perception, as demonstrated by a pilot observational study conducted on cardiovascular specialists during the 2022 National Conference of the Italian Society of Hypertension ( 53 ). Among 62 study participants, 19.4% were smokers, 17.7% had dyslipidemia, 26.3% had high blood pressure, and 11.3% had hypertension, of which 57.1% was uncontrolled ( 53 ).…”

“…However, greater knowledge or awareness of cardiovascular health and main CVD factors does not always translate into better self-care or risk perception, as demonstrated by a pilot observational study conducted on cardiovascular specialists during the 2022 National Conference of the Italian Society of Hypertension ( 53 ). Among 62 study participants, 19.4% were smokers, 17.7% had dyslipidemia, 26.3% had high blood pressure, and 11.3% had hypertension, of which 57.1% was uncontrolled ( 53 ). A non-adherence to guidelines-directed preventive measures for cardiovascular health was also evidenced ( 53 ).…”

“…Among 62 study participants, 19.4% were smokers, 17.7% had dyslipidemia, 26.3% had high blood pressure, and 11.3% had hypertension, of which 57.1% was uncontrolled ( 53 ). A non-adherence to guidelines-directed preventive measures for cardiovascular health was also evidenced ( 53 ). A multicenter cross-sectional observational study to assess the perception and knowledge of cardiovascular risk among Italian women also showed that good knowledge of the major cardiovascular risk factors was not associated with better recognition of CVD as a leading cause of death, and less than 10% of respondents perceived themselves as being at high CVD risk ( 54 ).…”

STRUGGLE FOR. Italian-Polish-Spanish-Uzbek-Vietnamese Expert Forum Position Paper 2023 for better control of classical modifiable risk factors in clinical practice

“…S truggle for better control of the cardiovascular risk factors remains the cornerstone of medical activity. Daily therapeutic efforts should be aimed at combating cardiovascular risk factors, implementing healthy lifestyle, appropriate diet — optimally in the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) model or the Mediterranean diet, maintaining optimal body weight, increasing physical activity and combating smoking [ 12 ].…”