A digital tool for self-reporting cardiovascular risk factors: The RADICAL study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases are a leading global cause of mortality.
• Early risk stratification and intervention are crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention.
• The RADICAL Study (Risk Assessment via Digital Input for Cardiovascular and Lifestyle Factors) addresses this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of self-reported cardiovascular risk factors in individuals without known cardiovascular disease.
• To assess the feasibility of using a digital tool for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Main Methods:

• A digital tool with 23 questions on cardiovascular risk factors was used.
• 4149 individuals aged 40-69 years (78% women) without known cardiovascular disease participated.
• Data on hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, sleep duration, and diet were collected.

Main Results:

• 89.9% of participants reported at least one cardiovascular risk factor.
• High prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (40.9%), physical inactivity (58.4%), and insufficient sleep (33.7%) was observed.
• Women (OR=1.27) and participants aged 50-59 (OR=1.35) had higher odds of having at least one risk factor.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors exists in adults without diagnosed cardiovascular disease.
• Lifestyle factors including physical activity, diet, and sleep are significant concerns.
• Digital tools show promise for identifying cardiovascular risk and improving prevention efforts.