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National Heart Center/Saudi Heart Association 2025 Guidelines for Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention and Risk
Jamilah S AlRahimi1,2,3, Shukri M Al Saif4, Laith Hussain-Alkhateeb5,6,7
1Department of Cardiac Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This guideline offers evidence-based strategies for preventing and managing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Saudi Arabia. It emphasizes personalized risk assessment, lifestyle changes, and optimized medical treatments for the local population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant health challenge in Saudi Arabia.
- Local epidemiological data and healthcare needs necessitate tailored prevention and management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an evidence-based clinical guideline for CVD prevention and management.
- To adapt international recommendations to the specific context of Saudi Arabia.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary task force synthesized evidence from literature reviews.
- International guidelines, particularly the 2021 European Society of Cardiology recommendations, were adapted.
- The guideline was contextualized for the Saudi Arabian healthcare setting.
Main Results:
- Recommendations cover primary CVD prevention, including risk assessment (genetic, lifestyle, clinical factors, lipid/glucose profiling) and prioritized lifestyle modifications (diet, smoking cessation, exercise, weight management).
- Pharmacologic therapy targets lipids, blood pressure, and glycemic control based on individual risk.
- Secondary prevention strategies include risk stratification, comorbidity management (diabetes, hypertension, CKD), and optimized pharmacotherapy for various CVDs, alongside cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The guideline provides an updated, evidence-based framework for the Saudi population.
- It highlights the importance of prevention, lifestyle modification, and optimized pharmacologic management.
- Addresses the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in the region.
Objectives:
To develop an evidence-based clinical guideline for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Saudi Arabia, tailored to local epidemiology and healthcare needs.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary task force comprising cardiologists, public health specialists, and epidemiologists from different healthcare sectors in Saudi Arabia developed the guideline. Evidence synthesis was based on a comprehensive literature review and adaptation of international guidelines, particularly the 2021 European Society of Cardiology recommendations, contextualized to the Saudi setting.
Results:
The guideline provides recommendations for both primary and secondary CVD prevention. Primary prevention emphasizes risk assessment incorporating genetic, lifestyle, and clinical factors, as well as lipid and glucose profiling. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, smoking cessation, physical activity, weight management, and psychosocial support, are prioritized. Pharmacologic therapy targets lipid levels, blood pressure, and glycemic control, tailored to individual risk categories. For secondary prevention, strategies include post-event risk stratification, comorbidity management (diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease), and optimization of pharmacologic therapy for coronary artery disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease. Lifestyle interventions, supervised cardiac rehabilitation, and routine follow-up for complication monitoring and treatment adjustment are integral components.
Conclusion:
This guideline presents an updated, evidence-based framework specifically designed for the Saudi population, underscoring prevention, lifestyle modification, and optimized pharmacologic management to address the rising burden of CVDs.
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