Article

Surveillance of and monitoring trends for cardiovascular diseases and
risk factors are relevant when we consider that these diseases and conditions are
largely preventable. The aim of this paper is to assess time trends of
cardiovascular diseases, lifestyles, risk factors and high risk conditions in
different socioeconomic levels. METHODS: Paired but independent population
samples of men and women aged 35-74 years located in all 20 Italian regions were
examined in 1998-2002 (n = 9612) and in 2008-2012 (n = 8141). Time trends of
lifestyles, cardiovascular risk factors, prevalence of high-risk conditions and
cardiovascular diseases are shown for two different socioeconomic levels, as
assessed by educational level. RESULTS: Over 10 years, in both genders and
socioeconomic classes, the prevalence of smoking decreased (from 32% to 23% in
men) as well as mean levels of blood pressure (systolic from 136 mmHg to 133 mmHg
in men and from 132 mmHg to 127 mmHg in women), while the prevalence of
dyslipidemia and obesity increased reaching 35% and 25% of the population
respectively; the prevalence of myocardial infarction remained stable (1.6% in
men; about 0.5% in women), that of stroke decreased in men (from 1.2% to 0.7%);
the prevalence of diabetes did not change (12% in men; 8% in women). In the low
educational class, cardiovascular risk factors and diseases remained unfavourable
compared with the high educational class. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of
cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors remain high and require continuous
appropriate action at the community and individual levels, as suggested by the
European Guidelines for Cardiovascular Prevention.
CI - (c) The European Society of Cardiology 2015.

Langue : ANGLAIS