Nearly 8 in 10 US adults without a history of heart disease have a heart attack risk equivalent to someone who has already had a heart attack
A new study published in the journal Circulation found that nearly 8 in 10 US adults without a history of heart disease have a heart attack risk equivalent to someone who has already had a heart attack.
The study looked at data from over 5,000 adults who were followed for an average of 10 years. The researchers found that 79% of the participants had a heart attack risk equivalent to someone who had already had a heart attack, even though they had no history of heart disease.
The researchers also found that the risk of heart attack increased with each stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged and cannot function properly. The stages of CKD range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most severe.
Here is a breakdown of the heart attack risk by CKD stage:
- Stage 1 CKD: 19% higher risk of heart attack
- Stage 2 CKD: 32% higher risk of heart attack
- Stage 3 CKD: 56% higher risk of heart attack
- Stage 4 CKD: 83% higher risk of heart attack
- Stage 5 CKD: 100% higher risk of heart attack
The researchers say that their findings highlight the importance of early detection and treatment of CKD. They say that even people without a history of heart disease should be screened for CKD if they have any of the risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease.
“Our study shows that CKD is a major risk factor for heart disease, even in people who don’t have a history of heart disease,” said lead author Dr. Amit Khera, a cardiologist at Harvard Medical School.
“We need to do a better job of screening for CKD and treating it early on to reduce the risk of heart disease.”
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F. Hillsom.