Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 17.9 million people die from CVD each year. However, modern medicine has a working arsenal of diagnostic tools that allow detecting problems at an early stage and preventing the development of serious complications.
The importance of early diagnosis
Early detection of risk factors and early stages of cardiovascular disease dramatically changes the prognosis. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2022) showed that regular preventive examinations make it possible to detect specific changes in laboratory parameters and diagnostic tests in time.
Laboratory research:
- Lipid profile: measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. A meta-analysis published in The Lancet (2021) confirmed that a 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by 221%.
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hight-CRP): a marker of inflammation associated with increased risk of CVD. The JUPITER study (2023) showed that monitoring hight-CRP allows the identification of patients at high risk, even with normal cholesterol levels.
- NT-proBNP: a biomarker for heart failure. According to the Framingham Heart Study (2022), elevated NT-proBNP levels are associated with a three-fold increased risk of developing heart failure.
Instrumental methods:
- ECG and 24-hour ambulatory ECG and BP monitoring: basic methods for detecting arrhythmias and ischemic changes in the myocardium.
- Echocardiography: allows to assess the structure and function of the heart. Early detection of diastolic dysfunction using echocardiography allows to reduce the risks of developing heart failure on 35% with timely treatment.
- Computed tomography of the coronary arteries (CT angiography): a non-invasive method for assessing the condition of the coronary arteries. One of the highly specific methods for detecting atherosclerotic changes in the heart vessels (coronary arteries).
Innovative approaches:
- Biosensors and wearables: continuous monitoring of physiological parameters. The WATCH-AF study (2023) showed that the use of smartwatches for heart rate monitoring allows the detection of atrial fibrillation in 5.71% of at-risk patients.
Prevention strategy
Based on the results of the Framingham Heart Study and the European guidelines for CVD prevention (2023), the following screening strategy is recommended:
- 18-39 years: risk factor assessment every 1-3 years, lipid profile every year.
- 40-55 years: annual risk factor assessment, lipid profile every year.
- Over 55 years old: individual approach taking into account concomitant diseases.
For individuals at increased risk (family history of early CVD, diabetes, hypertension, endocrine diseases, liver disease, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, kidney disease), more intensive monitoring is recommended.
It is important to emphasize that no single test can provide a complete picture of cardiovascular health. Instead ofcomplexand personalized assessment allows you to create effective an individual prevention strategy for each patient.
