[Trends in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their treatment in coronary heart disease: the Euroaspire-project].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their treatment in Dutch patients with coronary heart disease (the 'Euroaspire'-project) and to compare these data with those from 4 and 10 years previously.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
The study included consecutive patients under 71 years of age, who had already been admitted for coronary revascularization or with myocardial infarction. Data were collected > 6 months after discharge. The prevalence of risk factors and their treatment were compared during the period May 1995-February 2006.


RESULTS
In this third part of the study almost 80% of the patients were overweight (BMI >or= 25 kg/m2). 21% had diabetes mellitus. The average cholesterol level was 4.3 mmol/l. The percentage of smokers decreased significantly, from approximately 30% to 15%. More than 60% of subjects were hypertensive. More than 95% of the patients were on antiplatelet therapy or oral anticoagulants, 92% on cholesterol-reducing medication and 94% on antihypertensive medication. A sharp increase in medication was noted in comparison with earlier studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of the most important cardiovascular risk factors has intensified over the past few years. Almost all patients were treated with antiplatelets, statins and antihypertensive medication. Overweight, hypertension and diabetes have become more important in the past decade. Care of cardiac patients will continue to be characterized by long-term and intensive care.
Deckers
Jaap W
JW
Erasmus MC, afd. Cardiologie, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. j.deckers@erasmusmc.nl
Veerhoek
Rinus J
RJ
Smits
Peter C
PC
Jansen
Chris G
CG
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents