Overview
- Analysts reviewed more than a decade of health records for over 9 million adults in South Korea and nearly 7,000 people in the United States.
- Applying American Heart Association thresholds for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and tobacco exposure, more than 99% had at least one risk factor before their event.
- Over 93% had two or more risks, and high blood pressure was most common, affecting more than 95% in South Korea and more than 93% in the United States.
- The pattern persisted under higher clinical cutoffs, with at least 90% still showing a major risk factor prior to their emergency.
- Women younger than 60 also showed high antecedent risk, and the authors call for intensified screening and control of modifiable factors.