Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors and Primary Prevention Strategies for Cardiovascular Diseases in a Middle-Income...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of mortality in middle-income nations, including Malaysia.
• A notable deficit exists in understanding CVD risk assessment and intervention strategies within the Malaysian populace.
• This review addresses the research landscape of CVD in Malaysia, focusing on lifestyle risk factors and interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review to determine the current status of cardiovascular disease research in Malaysia.
• To prioritize lifestyle-related risk assessments and interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention.
• To identify research gaps and intervention effectiveness in the Malaysian context.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive search was conducted across five major electronic databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, APA PsychINFO, Embase, and Scopus.
• The review adhered to guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-S).
• Study selection, screening, and data extraction were managed using the Covidence platform, resulting in the inclusion of 31 studies.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was identified between physical inactivity, smoking, poor dietary habits, extended working hours, and clustered lifestyle risks with increased cardiovascular disease risk.
• Interventions primarily concentrated on physical activity promotion and comprehensive lifestyle modification approaches.
• These interventions demonstrated significant improvements in both primary and secondary cardiovascular disease-related outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing lifestyle-related risk assessments and interventions is crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention in Malaysia.
• The translation of observed outcomes to higher effectiveness in overall cardiovascular disease prevention requires further investigation.
• Multifaceted lifestyle interventions show potential for improving cardiovascular disease-related outcomes, warranting continued research and implementation.