Primary prevention efforts are poorly developed in people at high cardiovascular risk : a report from the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme EUROASPIRE V survey in 16 European countries

Background:European Action on Secondary and Primary Prevention by Intervention to Reduce Events (EUROASPIRE) V in primary care was carried out by the European Society of Cardiology EURObservational Research Programme in 2016-2018. The main objective was to determine whether the 2016 Joint European Societies' guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in people at high cardiovascular risk have been implemented in clinical practice. Methods:The method used was a cross-sectional survey in 78 centres from 16 European countries. Patients without a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease either started on blood pressure and/or lipid and/or glucose lowering treatments were identified and interviewed >= 6 months after the start of medication. Results:A total of 3562 medical records were reviewed and 2759 patients (57.6% women; mean age 59.0 +/- 11.6 years) interviewed (interview rate 70.0%). The risk factor control was poor with 18.1% of patients being smokers, 43.5% obese (body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2)) and 63.8% centrally obese (waist circumference >= 88 cm for women, >= 102 cm for men). Of patients on blood pressure lowering medication 47.0% reached the target of = 6 months after the start of medication. Results:A total of 3562 medical records were reviewed and 2759 patients (57.6% women; mean age 59.0 +/- 11.6 years) interviewed (interview rate 70.0%). The risk factor control was poor with 18.1% of patients being smokers, 43.5% obese (body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2)) and 63.8% centrally obese (waist circumference >= 88 cm for women, >= 102 cm for men). Of patients on blood pressure lowering medication 47.0% reached the target of <140/90 mm Hg (<140/85 mm Hg in people with diabetes). Among treated dyslipidaemic patients only 46.9% attained low density lipoprotein-cholesterol target of