Distribution of global cardiovascular risk in the Italian population: results of the Epidemiological Cardiovascular Observatory

Background. The aim of this study was to assess the 10-year cardiovascular risk categories using risk chart, recently set up by the National Institute of Health in the population examined by the Cardiovascular Epidemiologic Observatory. Methods. 3745 men and 3664 women aged 40-69 years were classified into five risk categories (<5%; 5-10%; 10-15%; 15-20%; >= 20%) taking into account age, smoking habit, history of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol and excluding those already under treatment for hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia or experienced a previous major cardiovascular event (1937 persons: 955 men, 982 women). Results. Proportion of people estimated at risk in 10 years >= 20% is minimal in the youngest age range, increases in adulthood, duplicates in smokers and is higher in diabetics. In non-diabetic men that proportion varies between 3.4% in non-smokers and 5.6% in smokers. All women at risk are already under specific treatment. Conclusions. Cardiovascular Epidemiologic Observatory data allowed to assess the expected proportion of individuals at risk in 10 years >= 20%. Besides attention to high-risk individuals, preventive measures supporting a healthier lifestyle in the general population must be adopted, considering that it will produce the greatest number of events.