Current status of cardiovascular risk factor control: are we meeting the targets?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology and Public Health
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular risk factor management, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking, remains suboptimal worldwide.
• Despite evidence-based guidelines and pharmacologic advances, clinical inertia, poor adherence, and health system barriers hinder effective control.
• A significant gap exists between recommended targets and real-world practice for key modifiable determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on cardiovascular risk factor control.
• To quantify treatment gaps for both conventional and nonconventional risk factors.
• To identify strategies for integrated, patient-centered care to reduce residual cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current evidence on cardiovascular risk factors.
• Analysis of treatment gaps across various risk determinants.
• Identification of opportunities for improving patient-centered cardiovascular prevention.

Main Results:

• Fewer than half of patients achieve recommended targets for major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.
• Clinical inertia, limited patient adherence, and systemic barriers are primary contributors to suboptimal control.
• Non-biological factors significantly widen the gap between guidelines and practice.

Conclusions:

• Effective cardiovascular prevention requires addressing psychosocial factors alongside traditional risk determinants.
• Integrated, patient-centered strategies are essential for reducing residual cardiovascular risk.
• Improving control of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking is critical for global cardiovascular health.