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

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Risk stratification and early interventions are essential to overcome this reality. The RADICAL Study ( isk ssessment via igital nput for ardiovascular nd ifestyle Factors) aimed to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported cardiovascular risk factors in individuals without known cardiovascular disease using a digital tool.

A digital self-reported cardiovascular risk stratification tool, comprising 23 questions about classical and lifestyle cardiovascular risk factors, was completed by 4149 individuals aged 40-69 years (median age 53.0 [47.0; 60.0] years; 78 % women). Among the cardiovascular risk factors, 40.9 % reported hypercholesterolemia, 26.8 % hypertension, 17.3 % smoking, 5.8 % diabetes, 58.4 % physical inactivity, 19.4 % obesity, 33.7 % sleep less than 7 h/night, and 12.1 % had composite dietary risk factors. Most of the participants (89.9 %) referred having at least one of the eight cardiovascular risk factors. Women had 27 % higher odds of having at least one cardiovascular risk factor compared to men (OR = 1.27, 95 % CI [1.00, 1.60]). Participants aged 50-59 years also had higher odds of having at least one CV risk factor compared to those aged 40-49 years (OR = 1.35, 95 % CI [1.07, 1.70]).

The RADICAL Study reveals a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adults without known cardiovascular disease. Beyond the relevance of traditional risk factors, such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, the results regarding physical activity, dietary and sleeping habits are concerning. A self-reported cardiovascular risk identification digital tool could be feasible and help to improve cardiovascular prevention.