Primary care clinicians and practices are uniquely positioned to help people achieve optimal cardiovascular health through screening, diagnosing and treating the health behaviors and factors outlined in the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 health metrics to reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke, according to a new scientific statement published today in the Association's peer-reviewed journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
, however, an estimated 1 of every 4 deaths due to cardiovascular disease could be avoided by addressing modifiable risk factors with lifestyle changes and treatment. The Association's Life's Essential 8 are key measures for improving and maintaining optimal cardiovascular health and reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and other major health conditions. Life's Essential 8 outlines four health behaviors-;diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure and sleep; and four health factors-; body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure.
Primary care plays a central role in people's health and health care across their lifetime. Primary care professionals have the potential to greatly improve the identification and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors and health behaviors in their patients." Madeline R.
Sterling, M.D., M.
P.H., M.
S., FAHA, Chair of the statement writing group, associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, Ne.
