Abstract
Abstract Content - Introduction Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus are leading causes of mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 1.05 million deaths in 2016, with 41.8% occurring before age 70. Despite rising mortality and unhealthy diets, detailed dietary impact estimates on CMD mortality are lacking. This study quantifies CMD mortality in our countrie using Framingham, PROCAM, and SCORE risk assessments to inform health policies and interventions.
Materials and methods A cohort of patients over 60 years from northwest Colombia was studied, excluding those with cancer, HIV, hemodialysis, or life expectancy under a year. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using Framingham, PROCAM, and SCORE equations, categorizing patients into low, moderate, or high risk. Statistical analysis included means, medians, and percentages, with Student's t-test and chi-square tests applied. A p-value <.05 was considered significant. analyses were performed using spss v.22.1. results the study included 2,482 patients (55.2% female, mean age 67.9 years). key comorbidities hypertension (79.1%), diabetes (37.4%), hypercholesterolemia (27.4%), and obesity (18.5%). adherence to treatment 48.5%, with 44.5% achieving control. lipid profile averages were: total cholesterol 197.48 mg />dL, LDL 135.72 mg/dL, HDL 40.86 mg/dL, and triglycerides 205.85 mg/dL. Cardiovascular risk was classified as low in ~70% of patients across Framingham, PROCAM, and SCORE models, with ~15-20% at moderate and ~10-13% at high risk.
Conclusions Cardiovascular risk control in low- and middle-income countries, as well as in high-income countries, must go beyond pathophysiology and individualized approaches. The new paradigm involves implementing standardized, evidence-based public health programs with a high impact. Despite structural and cultural challenges, cardiovascular risk analysis has grown significantly since 2017. Improving risk factor control in primary care, through personalized models and the use of telemedicine, can reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases.