Trends in Cardiovascular Health Metrics among Korean Adults

Abstract

BackgroundAmerican Heart Association (AHA) defined 7 cardiovascular health metrics for the general population to improve cardiovascular health in 2010: not smoking; having normal blood pressure; being physically active; normal body mass index, blood glucose, and total cholesterol levels; and eating a healthy diet. To investigate trends in cardiovascular health metrics in Korea, we used data from the third and fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.MethodsWe defined seven cardiovascular health metrics similar to the one defined by AHA but physical activity, body mass index, and healthy diet were properly redefined to be suited for the Korean population. We compared each cardiovascular health metric and calculated the sum of cardiovascular health metrics after dichotomizing each health metric to ideal (scored 1) and poor (scored 0).ResultsHealth metric scores of smoking in males (P value for trend < 0.001), physical activity both in males and females (P-value for trend < 0.001 both), body mass index in females (P-value for trend = 0.030), and blood pressure both in males and females (P-value for trend < 0.001, both) were improved. On the other hand, health metric scores of healthy diet in males (P-value for trend = 0.002), and fasting blood glucose both in males and females (P-value for trend < 0.001 both) got worse. The total scores of seven health metrics were stationary.ConclusionTotal scores were not changed but each metric showed various trends. A long-term study is necessary for analyzing exact trends.

Twenty‐Year Trends in the American Heart Association Cardiovascular Health Score and Impact on Subclinical and Clinical Cardiovascular Disease: The Framingham Offspring Study

“…More specifically, in a study by Lee et al, it was reported that fewer Korean participants followed a healthy diet and had ideal glucose and cholesterol levels during the 5-year study period (2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010), while more participants had ideal physical activity and blood pressure levels. 6 Furthermore, the proportion of smokers and those with ideal body mass index remained the same. This study used a limited follow-up period, mentioning that a long-term study is needed to confirm these findings.…”

“…Investigators have also assessed the short‐term trends in the individual components defining the CVH, but data on the temporal trends in the ideal CVH over longer periods of follow‐up are limited. More specifically, in a study by Lee et al, it was reported that fewer Korean participants followed a healthy diet and had ideal glucose and cholesterol levels during the 5‐year study period (2005–2010), while more participants had ideal physical activity and blood pressure levels . Furthermore, the proportion of smokers and those with ideal body mass index remained the same.…”

Changes in Cardiovascular Health in the United States, 2003–2011

“…Prevalence of cardiovascular health, as measured with CVHI, has been examined in various populations globally and within the United States in both adults and adolescents . “Ideal” CVHI is associated with decreased CVD and decreased risk of death .…”

Which Measures of Health Status Assessment are the Most Significant in Organized Cohorts with Low Current Cardiovascular Risk? The Screening Study of Penitentiary Staff in Saratov Region, Russia

“…These metrics are actively used in many studies from USA and other countries [26][27][28][29]. AHA health metrics can be used for the assessment of trends in health status for primary preventive care [27,28].…”

“…These metrics are actively used in many studies from USA and other countries [26][27][28][29]. AHA health metrics can be used for the assessment of trends in health status for primary preventive care [27,28]. Some studies showed that the number of AHA health metrics is negatively associated with stroke [30], myocardial infarction [30], cancer incidence [31] and mortality rates from all causes and CVD [27,29].…”