**New Study Finds Nearly All Heart Attack and Stroke Patients Have At Least One Major Cardiovascular Risk Factor**
A recent study released on Monday reveals that nearly all individuals who suffer heart attacks or strokes have at least one of four major cardiovascular risk factors prior to their cardiac event. The research, published in the *Journal of the American College of Cardiology*, found that 99% of participants had experienced high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, or had used tobacco leading up to the incident.
**High Blood Pressure: The Most Common Risk Factor**
Among these factors, high blood pressure was the most prevalent. The study tracked more than 600,000 cases in South Korea and over 1,000 adults in the United States over a period of up to 20 years. Participants were regularly monitored for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose, and tobacco exposure.
High blood pressure affected more than 95% of the South Korean participants and over 93% of the U.S. participants. According to Philip Greenland, the study’s senior author and professor of preventative medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, “This is important because high blood pressure is fairly easily detectable but it is asymptomatic, so often overlooked.”
**Preventable and Manageable Risk Factors**
“All four risk factors are preventable and can be managed,” Greenland emphasized. He added, “Our findings show how important it is to recognize and treat high blood pressure.”
The American Heart Association recommends treatment for blood pressure readings above 120/80 mmHg. Similarly, a fasting glucose level of 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or more, or a total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or higher, are considered major risk factors.
Greenland also noted that other cardiovascular risk factors, such as genetics or certain blood markers, are not modifiable, which makes managing these four risk factors even more critical.
**Recommendations for Prevention**
Most doctors advise regular monitoring of blood pressure and repeating lab work during medical appointments, especially depending on a patient’s age and health history. In addition to medical management, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in regular exercise are vital for heart health.
“In brief, as we have known for many years, there are a small number of modifiable risk factors for heart disease, and at least one, but often more than one, are present in the background leading up to heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes,” Greenland said.
He urges patients to ensure these four major factors are assessed at every medical visit. “If there is even a slight elevation, efforts need to be made to treat that factor to prevent heart attack, stroke, or heart failure,” Greenland concluded.
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*By understanding and managing these key risk factors, individuals can take proactive steps toward reducing their chances of serious cardiovascular events.*
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/study-finds-99-heart-attack-024915432.html