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Risk factors for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and risk reduction by lipid control: the OMEGA study

Tamio Teramoto1, Ryuzo Kawamori, Shigeru Miyazaki

  • 1Teikyo Academic Research Center , Itabashi-ku, Tokyo , Japan .

Clinical and Experimental Hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993)
|July 20, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Identifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in hypertensive patients is crucial. Statin therapy effectively prevents coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with dyslipidemia, highlighting the importance of managing risk factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Management
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • Identifying specific risk factors for CVD, stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD) in hypertensive patients without prior CVD is essential for effective prevention strategies.
  • The OMEGA study provided valuable data on this patient population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and coronary heart disease (CHD) in hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensive drugs but without a history of CVD.
  • To analyze the effect of statin therapy on CHD prevention in dyslipidemic patients within this cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of subgroup data (n=13,052) from the prospective, observational Olmesartan Mega Study to Determine the Relationship between Cardiovascular Endpoints and Blood Pressure Goal Achievement (OMEGA) study.
  • Utilized a Cox proportional hazards model to examine risk factors for CVD, stroke, and CHD.
  • Assessed the impact of baseline statin therapy on CHD prevention in dyslipidemic patients.

Main Results:

  • Significant risk factors for CVD included older age, family history of CHD, diabetes, and current smoking. Female sex and social alcohol consumption were associated with lower risk.
  • Diabetes was a risk factor for both stroke and CHD. Age, family history of CHD, and sodium intake score were specific risk factors for stroke.
  • Sex, dyslipidemia, smoking, and exercise habits were specific risk factors for CHD. Statin therapy in dyslipidemic patients showed comparable CHD risk to non-dyslipidemic patients, while non-statin users had increased risk.

Conclusions:

  • Risk factors for CHD and stroke differ in hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensive drugs and no prior CVD history.
  • Managing dyslipidemia with statin therapy is crucial for the primary prevention of CHD.
  • Effective hypertension therapy remains paramount for overall cardiovascular health.

Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseaseOlmesartanhypertensionincidencerisk factors

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