Cardiovascular diseases risk in adults: Italian Health Examination Survey 2023-2024 - CUORE Project

Abstract Introduction The reduction of non-communicable diseases premature mortality is pursued by the WHO. The Italian Ministry of Health - CCM has supported and financed periodic cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk assessment in the general adult population through national health examination surveys (HESs) conducted within the CUORE Project. Methods In 2023-2024 a new HES started including the 10-year fatal and non-fatal CVD risk assessment based on the knowledge of sex, age, smoking habit, measured systolic blood pressure and fasting total and HDL serum cholesterol, and presence of diabetes (on measured fasting serum glycemia and/or treatment) and anti-hypertensive therapy. Up to now, data from random samples of residents in 13 Regions (of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy, aged 35-69 years, without previous CVD, are available (1118 men, 1153 women). Determinations were assayed by a central lab. CUORE Project functions developed on and for the Italian adults were used. Statistics were standardized by Italian 2024 age-sex distribution. Results Mean values of the CVD risk assessment resulted 7.7% (95% CI: 7.1-8.2) in men and 2.6% (2.3-2.8) in women. For men aged 35-44 years risk was 1.6% (1.5-1.7), for 45-54 years 4.0% (3.7-4.2), for 55-64 years 9.4% (8.8-10.1), for 65-69 years 16.9% (15.7-18.2); for women was 0.4% (0.4-0.5), 1.1% (1.0-1.2), 3.1% (2.9-3.4) and 5.8% (5.3-6.3) respectively. Prevalence of CVD risk less than 5% was 51% (45-57) in men and 85% (81 -89) in women, of 5-10% risk were 23% (18-28) of men and 12% (8-16) of women, of 10-15% risk were 19% (14-23) of men and 3 % of women (1-5), of over 15% risk were 8% (5-12) of men and 0 % of women (0-0). Conclusions These preliminary data showed stable mean levels of CVD risk, both in men and women at any age-classes and stable prevalence of CVD risk classes compared to 2008 HES data. In primary prevention, CVD risk perception represents a challenge especially for young age groups and women. Key messages • CVD risk assessment remained stable compared to 15 years ago, in the Italian general population. • In primary prevention, CVD risk perception represents a challenge.