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Results of a Swedish study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2023looks like people who have 3 or more slightly modified risk factors (including a large waist circumference, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and blood sugar levels) have a heart attack (MI) or stroke (CVA) 2 years before people without these characteristics.
“Many people in their 40s and 50s have a little fat around the waist, borderline high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia, but generally feel well, are unaware of the risks, and do not seek medical advice.” said study author Dr. Lena Lönnberg of Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden.
The results emphasize the importance of early detection of risk factors through general health screening programs so that preventive measures can be taken to prevent MI, stroke and premature death. The authors of the study pointed out: “As a general rule, even if you feel well, check your blood pressure every year, avoid smoking, watch your waistline and last but not least, be physically active every day”.
It is estimated that up to 31% of the global population has metabolic syndrome. Previous studies have shown that people with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and premature death. This study investigated the link between asymptomatic metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease/death up to three decades later.
The study enrolled more than 34,000 adults in their 40s and 50s who participated in a cardiovascular screening program between 1990 and 1999 in the Swedish region of Västmanland. Participants went to their primary care center for a clinical examination, which included measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood glucose, and waist and hip circumference. They also completed a questionnaire about lifestyle, history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and socio-economic factors such as education.
People were classified as having metabolic syndrome if they had three or more of the following:
1) waist circumference of 102 cm or greater for men and 88 cm or greater for women, 2) total cholesterol of 6.1 mmol/l or greater, 3) systolic blood pressure of 130 mmHg or greater, and/or 85 mm Hg or higher diastolic blood pressure, 4) fasting plasma glucose 5.6 mmol/l or higher.
Data on cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and stroke) and death were collected from national and local registries.
A total of 5,084 individuals (15%) met criteria for metabolic syndrome, and a control group of 10,168 individuals without metabolic syndrome was identified. About 47% of the participants were women.
During a period of median follow-up of 27 years:
26% of participants with metabolic syndrome died compared to 19% of those in the control group – meaning those with metabolic syndrome were 30% more likely to die during follow-up than their counterparts. Non-fatal cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and/or stroke) occurred in 32% of participants with metabolic syndrome and in only 22% of the control group – corresponding to a 35% higher risk of MI and stroke in the metabolic syndrome group. The median time to the first nonfatal heart attack or stroke was 16.8 years in the metabolic syndrome group and 19.1 years in the control group—a difference of 2.3 years.
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2023-08-26 16:47:21
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