Abstract
AimsThis study investigated the trends and levels of the prevalence of health factors, and the association of all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality with healthy levels of combined risk factors among Lithuanian urban population.MethodsData from five general population surveys in Kaunas, Lithuania, conducted between 1983 and 2008 were used. Healthy factors measured at baseline include non-smoking, normal weight, normal arterial blood pressure, normal level of total serum cholesterol, normal physical activity and normal level of fasting glucose. Among 9,209 men and women aged 45–64 (7,648 were free from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke at baseline), 1,219 death cases from any cause, 589 deaths from CVD, and 342 deaths from CHD occurred during follow up. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the association between health factors and mortality from all causes, CVD and CHD.ResultsBetween 1983 and 2008, the proportion of subjects with 6 healthy levels of risk factors was higher in 2006–2008 than in 1983–1984 (0.6% vs. 0.2%; p = 0.09), although there was a significant increase in fasting glucose and a decline in intermediate physical activity. Men and women with normal or intermediate levels of risk factors had significantly lower all-cause, CVD and CHD mortality risk than persons with high levels of risk factors. Subjects with 5–6 healthy factors had hazard ratio (HR) of CVD mortality 0.35 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–0.83) compared to average risk in the whole population. The hazard ratio for CVD mortality risk was significant in men (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12–0.97) but not in women (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.09–1.67).ConclusionsAn inverse association of most healthy levels of cardiovascular risk factors with risk of all-cause and CVD mortality was observed in this urban population-based cohort. A greater number of cardiovascular health factors were related with significantly lower risk of CVD mortality, particularly among men.
Highlights
Despite the decline in age-standardized death rates over the recent decades in high-income countries, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and cancer continue to be the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, most Western and Eastern countries [1,2,3]
A greater number of cardiovascular health factors were related with significantly lower risk of CVD mortality, among men
New data from several studies have demonstrated the benefits of favourable levels of modifiable risk factors, so called cardiovascular health factors, for all-cause death rates and CVD mortality or morbidity [6,7,8]
Summary
Despite the decline in age-standardized death rates over the recent decades in high-income countries, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and cancer continue to be the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, most Western and Eastern countries [1,2,3]. The reductions in mortality and morbidity due to CVD and other noncommunicable diseases can be attributed to several factors, including improvements in modifiable risk factors [4, 5]. New data from several studies have demonstrated the benefits of favourable levels of modifiable risk factors, so called cardiovascular health factors, for all-cause death rates and CVD mortality or morbidity [6,7,8]. The prognostic value of these risk factors in the incidence and mortality from CHD, stroke and other non-communicable diseases in Lithuania has been demonstrated to be similar to other populations [16,17,18]. Risk factors have been studied separately and their combined effects have not been assessed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
