Cardiovascular diseases risk in adults: Italian Health Examination Survey 2023-2025 - CUORE Project

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) could be prevented. In Italy, a new Health Examination Survey, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health - CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI, started in 2023 also to monitor CVD risk in the population.

Methods

In the period 2023-2025, the 10-year fatal and non-fatal CVD risk assessment was implemented on random samples of residents in 18 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy, considering: sex, age, smoking habit, measured systolic blood pressure and fasting total and HDL serum cholesterol, presence of diabetes (on measured fasting serum glycemia and/or treatment) and anti-hypertensive therapy. Up to now, available data: 1552 men, 1589 women - aged 35-69 years without previous CVD. Determinations were assayed by a central lab. CUORE Project risk functions developed on and for the Italian adults, and European standard age-sex distribution were used.

Results

Mean values of the CVD risk assessment resulted 7.2% (95% confidence interval: 6.7-7.6) in men and 2.3% (2.1-2.5) in women. For men aged 35-44 years risk was 1.6% (1.5-1.6), for 45-54 years 3.9% (3.6-4.1), for 55-64 years 9.4% (8.8-9.9), for 65-69 years 16.5% (15.4-17.5); for women was 0.4% (0.4-0.4), 1.1% (1.0-1.2), 3.0% (2.8-3.2) and 5.7% (5.3-6.2) respectively. Prevalence of CVD risk less than 5% was 54% (49-59) in men and 87% (84-91) in women, over 15% risk were 7% (4-9) of men and 0.1% of women (0-0.3). In persons with primary/secondary school education, CVD risk mean values resulted higher, even if not statistically significant, than in those with higher education: 7.6% (6.7-8.6) in men and 2.7% (2.2-3.2) in women, versus 7.0% (6.5-7.5) and 2.1% (2.0-2.3) respectively.

Conclusions

These preliminary data showed stable mean levels of CVD risk and prevalence of CVD risk classes compared to 2008 data. In primary prevention, CVD risk perception represents a challenge especially for young age groups and women.

Key messages

• CVD risk assessment remained stable compared to 15 years ago in the Italian general population.

• In primary prevention, CVD risk perception represents a challenge.