The association between cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors in Austria and Slovakia: regression analyses based on the European Health Interview Survey (2019)

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for one in three deaths in the European Union. Slovakia has twice the rate of amenable mortality than neighboring Austria. This study aimed to examine the association between CVDs and risk factors and to describe similarities and differences in the observed patterns. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Weighted 2019 European Health Interview Survey data were analyzed for adults aged ≥ 45 in Austria and Slovakia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed associations between CVDs and its risk factors, adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, and regions. RESULTS: The Austrian sample included 9,501 respondents and the SK sample 3,505. CVD prevalence was 8.8% in Austria and 15.3% in Slovakia. In both countries, sleep problems (Austria: OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.57-2.32; Slovakia: OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.95-3.04) were associated with reporting CVDs. In Austria, hypertension (OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.54-2.30), and diabetes (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.42-2.31) were also associated with CVDs, as were diabetes (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.31-2.20) and physical inactivity (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.16-2.36) in Slovakia. Regional associations were more pronounced in Austria than in Slovakia. CONCLUSIONS: Although causality cannot be inferred, patterns in CVD prevalence and associated risk factors may support targeted national and regional prevention strategies.