Study finds majority of Americans at risk of a heart condition
WASHINGTON (TND) — A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a majority of American adults are at risk of developing heart disease.
The condition behind the risk is called cardiovascular-kidney metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which is the overlap of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. According to the study, 90% of adults over the age of 20 may have it, which puts them at risk of developing heart diseases like stroke, heart attack or heart failure.
There are five stages of the condition: zero through four. Stage 0 means no risk at all, while Stage 4 is the highest risk.
- 10.6% met the criteria for stage 0 (no risk for heart disease)
- 26% met the criteria for stage 1 (excess body fat, higher than normal blood pressure)
- 49% met the criteria for stage 2 (type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure)
- 5% met the criteria for stage 3 (issues with heart and blood vessels)
- 9% met the criteria for stage 4 (signs of heart disease, heart failure, stroke or atrial fibrillation, kidney failure)
The study found that people over the age of 65 were more likely to be at an advanced stage of the condition than people between the ages of 45 and 64. Surprisingly, being young was not as protective as one would expect. Only 18% of people ages 20 to 44 fell into the Stage 0 category.
Scientists are exploring ways to reduce the risk of heart disease and discovered that weight loss drugs can have an impact on heart health.
An ingredient called Semaglutide is used in weight loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, and it could help lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, according to the results of a five-year trial. The trial was funded by Novo Nordisk, which is the company that makes those weight loss drugs.
The trial found that patients taking Semaglutide had a 20% lower risk of heart attack, stroke or death due to heart disease after three years of treatment and was the first to show Wegovy – which has a higher dose of Semaglutide than Ozempic – also lowers the risk, even for people that do not have diabetes.
Access, however, is an issue. The drug costs over $1,300 for a 28-day supply, which is usually only covered by insurance if it is used to treat diabetes. In late March, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance saying Medicare Part D plans can start covering anti-obesity drugs if they have FDA approval for an additional benefit like heart health.
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