Cardiovascular Diseases: A 2016 Perspective
- Author:
Goh Lee Gan
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cardiovascular risk assessment;
Therapeutic lifestyle
- From:The Singapore Family Physician
2016;42(2):8-15
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A review was made of the current literature on
cardiovascular diseases. The following key findings were
found: (1) CVDs need to be reduced in Singapore and
worldwide. (2) CVD risk assessment tools are population
specific – use the FRS modified score for Singapore. (3) New
ideas about therapeutic lifestyle change as primary
prevention are to take note of the individuals who fail in
lifestyle change early and to direct them to alternative
strategies; educating patients to reduce sitting time,
increasing physical activity, and cardio-respiratory fitness is
beneficial; higher protein diets help in creating weight loss
and reducing weight regain; trans fats are associated with
all-cause mortality, total CHD, and CHD mortality. (4)
Paradigm shifts in secondary prevention are: statin
treatment intensity recommended in the 2013 ACC/AHA
cholesterol treatment guidelines; setting the blood pressure
targets for patients with diabetes mellitus to be less than
140/90 mmHg; and noting that the older patient (beyond 70
to 74 years) with diabetes mellitus need to be managed as
one would do so with a middle-aged patient. (5) The iCVH
model as the 2020 impactful strategy for cardiovascular
disease reduction for Americans provides food for thought
as a potential Singapore strategy -- Promote in each patient
especially the young patient, the simultaneous presence of
optimal levels of 4 health behaviours (body mass index,
physical activity, nonsmoking status, and diet quality) and
reduction of 3 disease factors (total cholesterol, blood
pressure, and fasting blood glucose).
