Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Global Cardiovascular Risk Among Patients in General Practice: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenditure worldwide, including Slovakia. The prevention of CVD is a cornerstone of modern preventive medicine. Recent epidemiological data highlight the ongoing need for comprehensive strategies focused on early diagnosis, effective treatment, and sustained preventive efforts. Sample and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 426 patients in a general practitioner’s outpatient clinic in the small town, located in the Bratislava region of Slovakia. The study included patients who underwent preventive health check-ups in 2024. The sample consisted of 426 patients aged 40–69 years (57.7% women, mean age 55.16 ± 8.83 years; 42.3% men, mean age 54.91 ± 8.68 years). The study focused on the prevalence of CVD risk factors and the assessment of cardiovascular risk using the SCORE2 model. Results: A high prevalence of biological and lifestyle-related risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) was observed. Using SCORE2 algorithms, 70% of individuals were classified as having high or very high cardiovascular risk. The prevalence of additional CVD risk factors not included in SCORE2 increased with higher global cardiovascular risk. A statistically significant association was found between cardiovascular risk and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), diabetes mellitus, and excessive alcohol consumption. Conclusion: A high proportion of individuals in this study elevated cardiovascular risk, based on both individual risk factors assessment and the SCORE2 model. Regular reassessment of cardiovascular risk is essential, as it may change over time due to the influence of modifiable risk factors. Such monitoring enables long-term tracking of both positive and negative trends in an individual’s cardiovascular health.