Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of death both in Italy and in Europe, but only one in two Italians declares to be active in terms of prevention. A lack of knowledge of how lifestyles and regular checks can really make a difference are undoubtedly the basis of those who underestimate the problem.
However, the data alarms experts, but not only, so much so that, aware of this urgent need, Parliament approved an amendment to the 2023 budget law which saw the financing by the Ministry of Health of 20 million euros for the project ” At the heart of prevention – Integrated approaches for personalized precision cardiovascular prevention: the CVRISK-IT study”. This is the most important initiative promoted on the topic of heart disease in our country.
An infographic explores cardiovascular disease prevention in Italy
The details of the four-year study were illustrated to the Chamber of Deputies by the IRCCS Cardiology Network, which includes 20 Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institutes. This presentation was followed by one at the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, leader of the project, which illustrated the study to the scientific community and citizens.
The data presented (IQVIA for the Italian Heart Foundation 2023, Istat 2021 and Eurostat 2021) reveal that 54% of Italians believe they are not at risk: on the contrary, cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of death both in Italy (30 .8%) both in Europe. Even on the continent, in fact, they account for 32% followed by oncology (22%).
Furthermore, only one Italian in two claims to do something for cardiovascular prevention (and only 1 in 10 believes they are doing a lot), focusing on nutrition (50%), movement and physical activity (39%).
18% carry out regular medical checks and exams and only 11% say they are committed to reducing smoking. There are many obstacles that slow down preventive actions: lifestyle changes (39%), poor risk awareness (33%), lack of information on what to do for prevention (27%) and poor communication/support from the doctor (21%).
It is clear that not all people have the same percentage of risk, as this increases in those who ignore preventive medical prescriptions, perhaps due to an incorrect perception of the danger. A cognitive bias, as the promoters of the project point out, which has direct repercussions both on the health of citizens and on the NHS, since cardiovascular diseases are the main source of healthcare spending.
One strategy to reverse this trend is to introduce innovative protocols that can better identify the subjects most at risk, proposing targeted preventive interventions. However, personalized primary prevention plans are needed.
Hence the CVRISK-IT study which, through the participation of 17 Scientific Hospitalization and Treatment Institutes (IRCCS), will involve 30,000 healthy people, for the development of more efficient strategies for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Italy. «An ambitious project, which involves an innovative form of informed consent, with a very high number of participants and complete national diffusion – explains Lorenzo Menicanti, president of the IRCCS Cardiological Network, as well as scientific director of the IRCCS Policlinico San Donato – The Cardiological Network will be actor and main interpreter of the study, with the active participation of 17 IRCCS, and it is the first time that such a large number of Institutes work together to produce such an important scientific infrastructure for improving cardiovascular prevention. We are very satisfied to have finalized and completed the design and we have the firm hope of being able to achieve the objectives, which are absolutely not to be taken for granted. We expect that CVRISK-IT will be able to substantially improve cardiovascular prevention and contribute to making the population even more aware of the importance of actively protecting their health.”
