New observational research from Northwestern Medicine and Yonsei University highlights that almost every individual who suffers a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure exhibits detectable risk factors years in advance. The study analyzed extensive health data of individuals in South Korea and the United States.
Measured risk factors include blood pressure above or at treatment thresholds, elevated cholesterol, diabetes or high fasting glucose, and smoking history. The presence of these markers offers a crucial window for prevention and intervention.
Dr. Philip Greenland, a preventive cardiologist, stresses the need for healthcare systems and patients to focus efforts on detecting and controlling these manageable risks to reverse the trend of cardiovascular diseases globally.
