Cardiovascular risk factors precede nearly all major heart events

A large-scale study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) reveals that nearly 99 percent of individuals who experienced a major cardiovascular event had at least one unmanaged risk factor beforehand. Researchers analyzed health data from over nine million people in South Korea and approximately 7,000 people in the United States over a two-decade period.

The four primary warning signs identified were high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, high blood glucose levels, and smoking. The study emphasizes that while heart attacks and strokes may seem sudden, they are often preceded by these identifiable, manageable indicators.

In addition to medical monitoring, lifestyle interventions such as regular physical activity are critical for cardiovascular health. For instance, consistent brisk walking for 20 to 40 minutes, three to five times a week, can improve arterial elasticity and lower blood pressure by reducing the renin-angiotensin system activity and promoting nitric oxide production.