Cardiovascular risk factors on the rise in Asia: study

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes appear to be on the rise in Asia, particularly Japan, new research has warned.
The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors have been decreasing in the US and Europe, however they appear to be on the rise in Asia, researchers said.
Using data from earlier studies and examining a health programme launched by the Japanese government, researchers found many risk factors in the Japanese population remain unchanged or even worsened over more than a decade.
In Japan and China, there is an increasing incidence of hypertension and is completely different than the US - where rates of hypertension did not change, researchers said.

There has been an overall decline in coronary artery disease-related mortality in the US; this decline has been attributed to reductions in risk factors and the promotion of treatments, they said.
"Cardiovascular disease deaths in Japan have increased and the prevalence of risk factors is expected to increase as the Japanese population continues to age," said guest editor Masafumi Kitakaze in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Data collection on patients, not only in Japan but in Asia and around the world, is key to understanding the status of cardiovascular disease and determining the future direction of care, 'Medicalxpress' reported.

By combining data collection with clinical trials, the cardiovascular community can continue to develop new treatments and improve outcomes for patients.