Key result
Mean 10-year CVD risk reaches ~7% in Italian men compared to ~2% in women.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular diseases are preventable, prompting a new Italian Health Examination Survey started in 2023 to monitor 10-year fatal and non-fatal CVD risk in the adult population.
Cross-Sectional (n=3,141)
Yes
Preliminary data from the 2023-2025 Italian Health Examination Survey demonstrate that 10-year cardiovascular risk levels and risk class prevalence in the general adult population have remained stable compared to 2008 data.
Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) could be prevented. In Italy, a new Health Examination Survey, promoted and financed by the Ministry of Health - CCM and the European Commission through JACARDI, started in 2023 also to monitor CVD risk in the population. Methods In the period 2023-2025, the 10-year fatal and non-fatal CVD risk assessment was implemented on random samples of residents in 18 Regions (out of 20 regions) distributed in North, Centre and South of Italy, considering: sex, age, smoking habit, measured systolic blood pressure and fasting total and HDL serum cholesterol, presence of diabetes (on measured fasting serum glycemia and/or treatment) and anti-hypertensive therapy. Up to now, available data: 1552 men, 1589 women - aged 35-69 years without previous CVD. Determinations were assayed by a central lab. CUORE Project risk functions developed on and for the Italian adults, and European standard age-sex distribution were used. Results Mean values of the CVD risk assessment resulted 7.2% (95% confidence interval: 6.7-7.6) in men and 2.3% (2.1-2.5) in women. For men aged 35-44 years risk was 1.6% (1.5-1.6), for 45-54 years 3.9% (3.6-4.1), for 55-64 years 9.4% (8.8-9.9), for 65-69 years 16.5% (15.4-17.5); for women was 0.4% (0.4-0.4), 1.1% (1.0-1.2), 3.0% (2.8-3.2) and 5.7% (5.3-6.2) respectively. Prevalence of CVD risk less than 5% was 54% (49-59) in men and 87% (84-91) in women, over 15% risk were 7% (4-9) of men and 0.1% of women (0-0.3). In persons with primary/secondary school education, CVD risk mean values resulted higher, even if not statistically significant, than in those with higher education: 7.6% (6.7-8.6) in men and 2.7% (2.2-3.2) in women, versus 7.0% (6.5-7.5) and 2.1% (2.0-2.3) respectively. Conclusions These preliminary data showed stable mean levels of CVD risk and prevalence of CVD risk classes compared to 2008 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.
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Donfrancesco et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease risk in primary prevention (n=3,141). CUORE Project 10-year CVD risk assessment by sex (men vs women) vs. Women was evaluated on Mean 10-year fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease risk (95% CI 6.7-7.6). CUORE Project 10-year CVD risk assessment in Italian adults aged 35-69 showed a mean risk of 7.2% (95% CI 6.7-7.6) in men and 2.3% (95% CI 2.1-2.5) in women.
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