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Published on: September 26, 2018

Cardiovascular risk factors and disease in general practice: results of the Nijmegen Cohort Study

J C Bakx1, H J M Van den Hoogen, W J H M Van den Bosch

  • 1Department of General Practice, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
|March 13, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors like high blood pressure and smoking significantly increase risk in men. While risk factors are linked in women, their low absolute CVD risk suggests caution in treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • Identifying and quantifying the impact of various risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the relationship between established cardiovascular risk factors and subsequent CVD incidence and mortality.
  • To analyze these relationships separately in men and women within a large prospective cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Nijmegen Cohort Study, an 18-year prospective investigation.
  • Measured cardiovascular risk factors (age, smoking, cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, family history) in 7092 participants.
  • Correlated risk factor presence with CVD morbidity and mortality outcomes.

Main Results:

  • A significant association between risk factors and CVD was demonstrated in both sexes.
  • In men, high blood pressure, smoking, and positive family history each conferred a relative risk (RR) of 1.8 for CVD.
  • The cumulative effect of risk factors substantially increased CVD risk; 38% of men with all factors experienced CVD within 18 years.

Conclusions:

  • Established cardiovascular risk factors are strongly associated with CVD morbidity and mortality, particularly in men.
  • The low absolute risk of CVD in women suggests a need for careful consideration regarding the intensity of risk factor treatment in this population.

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