Key result
Sleep problems are linked to ~90% higher odds of cardiovascular disease.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular diseases account for one in three deaths in the European Union, and Slovakia has twice the rate of amenable mortality compared to neighboring Austria. This study sought to examine the associations between CVDs and their risk factors and describe similarities and differences in patterns between the two countries.
Cross-Sectional (n=13,006)
Yes
This cross-sectional survey analysis reveals higher CVD prevalence in Slovakia (15.3%) than in Austria (8.8%) and identifies distinct national and regional patterns in associated risk factors such as sleep problems, diabetes, hypertension, and physical inactivity.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Regional prevention may warrant attention in older Europeans; extends mortality data but remains hypothesis-generating.
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.
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Markovic et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular diseases (n=13,006). Cardiovascular risk factors (sleep problems, diabetes, hypertension, physical inactivity) vs. Absence of risk factors was evaluated on Self-reported cardiovascular disease prevalence (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.57-2.32). Sleep problems and diabetes were associated with higher odds of reporting CVD in both Austria (sleep OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.57-2.32) and Slovakia (sleep OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.95-3.04).
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