Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Trends in cardiovascular risk factor prevalence among Lithuanian middle-aged adults between 2009 and 2018
Aleksandras Laucevičius1, Egidija Rinkūnienė2, Žaneta Petrulionienė2
1Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania; State Research Institute Centre of Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease risk factors decreased overall in Lithuania from 2009-2018, but dyslipidemia and smoking trends varied by gender. Arterial hypertension declined in both men and women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
- Understanding trends in CVD risk factors is crucial for effective primary prevention strategies.
- The Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) program provides valuable data on CVD risk in a specific population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate trends and differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor prevalence among middle-aged men and women.
- To analyze changes in dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and smoking over a decade (2009-2018).
- To inform primary prevention efforts within the Lithuanian population.
Main Methods:
- Community-based cross-sectional study utilizing data from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) program.
- Inclusion of 110,370 Lithuanian adults (men aged 40-54, women aged 50-64) without overt CVD.
- Assessment of major CVD risk factors including dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and smoking.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in dyslipidaemia and total cholesterol (TC) among men; no significant change in women.
- Significant decline in arterial hypertension prevalence in both genders.
- Obesity rates decreased in women but remained constant in men. Metabolic syndrome declined in women but increased in men.
- Diabetes prevalence initially rose then fell; smoking increased significantly among women while remaining high in men.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of CVD risk factors was observed in 2009, with a general decrease over the study period.
- Notable exceptions include dyslipidaemia and smoking, where trends differed between genders.
- Targeted interventions may be needed to address persistent or increasing CVD risk factors in specific demographic groups.
Background And Aims:
The aim of the study was to estimate trends and differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor prevalence among middle-aged men and women based on the data from the Lithuanian High Cardiovascular Risk (LitHiR) primary prevention program between 2009 and 2018.
Methods:
A community-based cross-sectional study included men aged 40-54 years and women aged 50-64 years without overt CVD. Nationally representative data comprised 110,370 Lithuanian adults (42.4% men and 57.6% women) examined in the period 2009-2018. Prevalences of major CVD risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome and smoking, were assessed.
Results:
The study showed a significant drop in the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and TC levels among men (p = 0.030 and p < 0.001) and no significant change among women (p = 0.594 and p = 0.799). The prevalence of AH significantly decreased in both gender groups (p < 0.001 in women and p < 0.001 in men). Obesity rates declined among women while it remained constant among men (p < 0.001 and p = 0.100 respectively). There was a significant decline among women and a significant increase among men in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016 respectively). The prevalence of diabetes increased until 2013, after which it started decreasing in the whole group (p = 0.005). The study showed a significant increase in the percentage of smoking women (p < 0.001), although the number of smoking men remained much higher (about 40%) (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
In our observational study, we have documented a high prevalence of all CVD risk factors in 2009 with a slight decrease during the period in most prevalence rates, except in dyslipidaemia and smoking levels.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:12Relative Risk