Mixed
Even when primary risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c, BMI) are successfully controlled through treatment, a significant proportion of patients (approx. 35-39%) remain at high cardiovascular disease risk.
Even if your doctor gets your blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar under control, you are not necessarily 'out of the woods.' The study shows that about 1 in 3 people who successfully control these numbers still have a high risk of heart disease. To truly protect your heart, you must address ALL risk factors, including smoking, weight, and physical activity, not just the one your medication targets.
Among the 2032 hypertensive patients with BP controlled on drug treatment, 34.8% remained at high CVD risk... Likewise, 39.2% of the 1350 controlled dyslipidaemic patients, 38% of the 655 controlled diabetic patients, and 39% of the 738 controlled obese patients also still had a high residual CVD risk
Why this rating
Large-scale observational data with standardized risk calculation (SCORE equation).
Source
Achievement of treatment goals for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice across Europe: the EURIKA study
José R. Banegas et al. · European Heart Journal · 2011
DOI 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr080
More from this paper
- In primary prevention clinical practice across Europe, less than half of treated hypertensive and dyslipidaemic patients achieve target blood pressure and lipid levels, and only one-third of treated diabetic patients achieve the HbA1c target.Good
- Lifestyle counseling, particularly written dietary advice and smoking cessation strategies, is poorly implemented in primary prevention clinical practice across Europe.Good
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
- Severely protein-deficient diets (2–3% energy) induce lean body mass loss and metabolic imbalance, whereas adequate protein intake (0.66 g/kg/d minimum) is a prerequisite for maintaining muscle, bone, and physiological function.Strong
- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →