Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Effect of Patients’ Awareness of CVD Risk Factors on Health-Related Behaviors”

Authors: Thomas F. Heston, MD

Abstract

During the last several decades, there has been a large and steady drop in the age-standardized death from cardiovascular disease. These advances have come largely from improved diagnostic and treatment technologies that positively affect patients with established disease. Nevertheless, there are limits of treating established disease and to continue the positive trends in reducing cardiovascular disease, greater advances will need to be made in prevention. With this in mind, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended the implementation of a population-based approach to prevent cardiovascular disease.1Their recommendations for national health goals focus on the adoption of four ideal health behaviors (not smoking, maintaining a healthy body mass index, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet) and the achievement of three ideal health factors (untreated total cholesterol <200 mg/dL, untreated blood pressure <120/80 mm Hg, and a fasting blood glucose of <100 mg/dL). The goal is to achieve a population-wide improvement of 20% for these seven factors by 2020, with a resultant 20% reduction in death from cardiovascular disease.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Lloyd-Jones DM, Hong Y, Labarthe D, et al. Defining and setting national goals for cardiovascular health promotion and disease reduction: the American Heart Association’s strategic Impact Goal through 2020 and beyond. Circulation. 2010; 121: 586–613.
 
2. Alzaman N, Wartak SA, Friderici J, et al. Effect of patients’ awareness of CVD risk factors on health-related behaviors. South Med J. 2013; 106: 606–609.
 
3. Chaloupka FJ, Straif K, Leon ME, et al. Effectiveness of tax and price policies in tobacco control. Tob Control. 2011; 20: 235–238.
 
4. McCartt AT, Geary LL. Longer term effects of New York State’s law on drivers’ handheld cell phone use. Inj Prev. 2004; 10: 11–15.
 
5. Free C, Phillips G, Galli L, et al. The effectiveness of mobile-health technology-based health behaviour change or disease management interventions for health care consumers: a systematic review. PLoS Med. 2013; 10: e1001363