Ten things to know about ten cardiovascular disease risk factors

Abstract

Given rapid advancements in medical science, it is often challenging for the busy clinician to remain up-to-date on the fundamental and multifaceted aspects of preventive cardiology and maintain awareness of the latest guidelines applicable to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The “American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) Top Ten CVD Risk Factors 2021 Update” is a summary document (updated yearly) regarding CVD risk factors. This “ASPC Top Ten CVD Risk Factors 2021 Update” summary document reflects the perspective of the section authors regarding ten things to know about ten sentinel CVD risk factors. It also includes quick access to sentinel references (applicable guidelines and select reviews) for each CVD risk factor section. The ten CVD risk factors include unhealthful nutrition, physical inactivity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, high blood pressure, obesity, considerations of select populations (older age, race/ethnicity, and sex differences), thrombosis/smoking, kidney dysfunction and genetics/familial hypercholesterolemia. For the individual patient, other CVD risk factors may be relevant, beyond the CVD risk factors discussed here. However, it is the intent of the “ASPC Top Ten CVD Risk Factors 2021 Update” to provide a succinct overview of things to know about ten common CVD risk factors applicable to preventive cardiology.

Ten things to know about ten imaging studies: A preventive cardiology perspective (“ASPC top ten imaging”)

“…CVD risk factor management is often more aggressive and often prioritized to patients most likely to benefit, which often includes those with diagnosed CVD or otherwise at increased CVD risk. Cardiac imaging may help further stratify patients at intermediate CVD risk, as otherwise determined by coronary heart disease (CHD) risk scores [ 1 , 3 ]. Cardiac imaging results may help decide who to treat, what to treat, and when to treat, as well as how aggressively to treat atherosclerotic lesions (e.g., revascularization) and/or CVD risk factors (e.g., dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia) – all for the purpose of helping prevent future CVD events.…”

“…Cardiac imaging may help further stratify patients at intermediate CVD risk, as otherwise determined by coronary heart disease (CHD) risk scores [ 1 , 3 ].…”

“…What is already known about this subject? The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) has published “Ten Things to Know About Ten Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Factors,” [ 1 , 2 ] which summarizes major CVD risk factors, accompanied by sentinel reviews or guidelines relative to ten important CVD risk factors. Assessing existing CVD and CVD risk through imaging is commonly used to stratify CVD risk and influence CVD prevention management.…”

“…The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) has published “Ten Things to Know About Ten Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Factors,” [ 1 , 2 ] which summarizes major CVD risk factors, accompanied by sentinel reviews or guidelines relative to ten important CVD risk factors.…”

Behavioral Medicine for Sedentary Behavior, Daily Physical Activity, and Exercise to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

“…In addition to daily physical activity, national and global physical activity guidelines recommend that adults participate in exercise, including aerobic exercise and resistance training, for overall health and the prevention of CVD (Table 1 ) [ 82 •, 83 ]. Behavioral interventions that promote exercise participation for the prevention of CVD are guided by behavior change techniques, including but not limited to overcoming barriers, enhancing self-efficacy, action planning, developing coping skills, and evaluating intention [ 84 – 86 ].…”