Primary prevention of coronary heart disease in general practice: a cross sectional population study

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
• Early identification and management of cardiovascular risk factors are crucial for prevention.
• General practitioners play a key role in primary cardiovascular risk assessment and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the interventions general practitioners (GPs) provided for cardiovascular risk factors.
• To assess interventions among individuals without a prior history of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• To analyze intervention patterns based on cardiovascular risk levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving inhabitants aged 45-64 years in three Belgian towns.
• Cardiovascular check-ups and blood tests were offered to all eligible residents.
• Data collected on GP interventions, including prescriptions and lifestyle advice, for individuals without a history of CVD (n=898).

Main Results:

• 51% of eligible participants received at least one intervention (prescription, diet, or health advice).
• Interventions were most common for hyperlipidemia (28%), physical activity (23%), and caloric intake (22%).
• Individuals with medium or high cardiovascular risk were more likely to receive interventions for lipoproteins, blood sugar, and smoking compared to low-risk individuals.

Conclusions:

• General practitioners intervene in cardiovascular risk factors for about half of the eligible population without a prior CVD history.
• Interventions are more frequently targeted towards individuals with higher cardiovascular risk.
• Therapeutic lifestyle changes and isolated risk factors are often undertreated in low-risk populations.