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Mortality attributable to cardiovascular risk factors in Spain

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 57, pages S18–S21 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To present the current burden of mortality attributable to some of the main cardiovascular risk factors in adults in Spain.

Methods: Mortality attributable to risk factors was calculated by combining their prevalence, the relative risks for death, and the number of deaths in Spain. Prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg), tobacco smoking, excess weight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), and self-reported diabetes were based on representative samples of the Spanish population in the 1990s. The relative risks came from valid international studies.

Results: About 14 000 total deaths (25% of all deaths) were attributable to hypertension in Spain's middle-aged population. A quarter of them were cardiovascular deaths. About 56 000 deaths were attributable to tobacco use in adults ≥35 y (16% of all deaths). Two-thirds of them were deaths for: lung cancer (26.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (20.9%), coronary heart disease (12.8%), and stroke (9.2%). About 28 000 deaths (8.5% of all deaths) were attributable to excess weight in adults. Two-thirds of them were cardiovascular deaths. About 2800 cardiovascular deaths were attributable to diabetes in adults ≥35 y (6% of all cardiovascular deaths).

Conclusions: Mortality attributable to the risk factors studied is a major avoidable public health problem in Spain. The results presented are only illustrative but clearly show that there is considerable scope for prevention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    J R Banegas, F Rodríguez-Artalejo, A Graciani, F Villar & R Herruzo

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  1. J R Banegas
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  2. F Rodríguez-Artalejo
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  3. A Graciani
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  4. F Villar
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  5. R Herruzo
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Contributions

Guarantor: JR Banegas.

Contributors: FRA, AG, FV, and RH contributed to the study design, analysis of the data, and revision of the paper.

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Correspondence to J R Banegas.

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Banegas, J., Rodríguez-Artalejo, F., Graciani, A. et al. Mortality attributable to cardiovascular risk factors in Spain. Eur J Clin Nutr 57 (Suppl 1), S18–S21 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601804

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