Dave Edwards and So, How’s your week going? 5-15-24

Nothing like a startling headline to give you a jolt, right?

“Surprisingly” high number of adults in the U.S. at risk of heart syndrome.

Research published in JAMA this past week suggests nearly 90% of adults over age 20 in our country are at risk of developing heart disease.  No, you do not have full-blown heart disease. But it does indicate that the risk is there, even in younger people.

The article at cbsnews.com states: The American Heart Association alerted doctors in October about cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a condition which affects major organs in the body, including the brain, heart, liver and kidneys. CKM is diagnosed in stages ranging from zero — no risk factors for heart disease — to 4 — people with diagnosed heart disease plus excess body fat, metabolic risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes, or kidney disease.

For the new study, researchers analyzed almost a decade’s worth of data from more than 10,000 people who were participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Apparently one of the biggest concerns is obesity. With about 40% of the U.S. considered obese, and another 32% listed as overweight, we are in a health crisis waiting to happen. Adopting lifestyle changes, such as improved diets and increased activity, can help protect against heart attack and stroke. But, if it hasn’t happened yet, what are the chances of significant improvement in the near future?  I’m guessing it’s nowhere near 90%.