CDC: CVD Risk Factors Remain High, Despite Efforts

The prevalence of some cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors remain high, despite proven strategies for preventing or managing these risk factors, according to a recent report from the CDC.

The 5-year initiative Million Hearts 2022 was created in 2017 in order to address the burden plateauing and/or increasing rates of CVD-related mortality in the US. In a recent report, the CDC sought to establish “a baseline for the CVD risk factors targeted for reduction by the initiative during 2017–2021 and highlights recent changes over time.”

Using data from the National health and Nutritional Examination Survey, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and National Health Interview Survey, the group conducted multivariate analyses to assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors during 2011-2012 and during the most recent cycle of available data.

Overall, they concluded the following:

• During 2013-2014, the prevalence of aspirin use for primary and secondary CVD prevention was 27.4% (a significant decrease from 43% in 2011-2012) and 74.9%, respectively.
• During 2013-2014, the prevalence of statin use for cholesterol management was 54.5%.
• During 2015-2016, average daily sodium intake was 3535 mg/day and the prevalence of blood pressure control, combustible tobacco use, and physical inactivity were 48.5%, 22.3%, and 29.1%, respectively.
• During 2015-2016, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 29.1%, a significant decrease from 30.9% during 2011-2012.

“The data in this report serve as a baseline for Million Hearts 2022. These findings suggest that in addition to universal strategies aimed at the entire population with and at risk for CVD, there is a need to focus action on high-burden, high-risk subsets of the population.”

—Michael Potts

For more Pharmacy Learning Network articles, visit the homepage

To learn about Pharmacy Learning Network Live meetings, click here