Longitudinal Trends in Severe Dyslipidemia in the Czech Population: The Czech MONICA and Czech Post-MONICA Study.

Severe hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increase in the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this analysis was to assess longitudinal trends in severe dyslipidemia (defined as total cholesterol > 8 mmol/L or LDL-cholesterol > 5 mmol/L) in a representative population sample of the Czech Republic and to analyze the longitudinal trends in the basic characteristics of individuals with severe dyslipidemia. Seven independent cross-sectional surveys were organized in the Czech Republic to screen for major cardiovascular risk factors (from 1985 to 2015-2018).

Longitudinal trends in blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the Czech population. Are there any sex differences?

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease which substantially increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the broad availability of antihypertensive medication, control of hypertension is not satisfactory worldwide.

Objective: The study aim was to assess longitudinal trends in blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a representative population sample of the Czechia from 1985 to 2016/2017, focusing on sex differences.

30-year trends in major cardiovascular risk factors in the Czech population, Czech MONICA and Czech post-MONICA, 1985 - 2016/17.

Background: Compared with Western Europe, the decline in cardiovascular (CV) mortality has been delayed in former communist countries in Europe, including the Czech Republic. We have assessed longitudinal trends in major CV risk factors in the Czech Republic from 1985 to 2016/17, covering the transition from the totalitarian regime to democracy.

Methods: There were 7 independent cross-sectional surveys for major CV risk factors conducted in the Czech Republic in the same 6 country districts within the WHO MONICA Project (1985, 1988, 1992) and the Czech post-MONICA study (1997/98, 2000/01, 2007/08 and 2016/2017), including a total of 7,606 males and 8,050 females.

Blood pressure control and risk profile in poststroke survivors: a comparison with the general population.

Objective: Recurrent strokes are associated with higher mortality, greater disability, and increased healthcare costs compared with first-ever stroke. Lifestyle measures and drug treatment in secondary prevention decrease the risk of recurrence while improving the quality of life of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in stroke survivors and population controls.

The obesity paradox and survivors of ischemic stroke.

Background: Although obesity is a risk factor for stroke and achieving normal weight is advocated to decrease stroke risk, the risk associated with obesity and weight loss after stroke has not been well established. The aim of this study was to assess the association of obesity at the time of stroke admission and weight loss after stroke with total mortality.

Methods: We analyzed 736 consecutive patients (mean age, 66 ± 11 years; 58% men) hospitalized for their first ischemic stroke.

Low blood pressure during the acute period of ischemic stroke is associated with decreased survival.

Objectives: There is no agreement on optimal blood pressure (BP) level during the acute phase of stroke, because studies on the relation between BP and stroke outcome have shown contradicting results. The aim of this study was to compare the relationship of admission, maximal, discharge BP and its components during hospitalization for the first-ever acute ischemic stroke with total mortality after stroke.

Methods: In 532 consecutive patients (mean age 66 ± 10 years, 59% of men) hospitalized for their first-ever ischemic stroke, the association between BP and total mortality during a median follow-up of 66 weeks (interquartile range 33-119 weeks) was analyzed.

Large artery stiffness and carotid flow pulsatility in stroke survivors.

Objective: Aortic stiffness is increased in lacunar stroke. The precise mechanism linking aortic stiffness to symptomatic lacunar stroke is not well understood. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aortic stiffness, carotid stiffness, central blood pressure, and cerebrovascular resistance on carotid flow pulsatility according to stroke subtype.

A high ankle-brachial index is associated with increased aortic pulse wave velocity: the Czech post-MONICA study.

Background: Ankle brachial index (ABI) has been increasingly used in general practice to identify individuals with low ABI at high cardiovascular risk. However, there has been no consensus on the clinical significance of high ABI. The aim of our study was to compare aortic stiffness as a marker of cardiovascular risk in individuals with low (<1.

Longitudinal trends in cardiovascular mortality and blood pressure levels, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the Czech population from 1985 to 2007/2008.

Objectives: To assess longitudinal trends in cardiovascular mortality and population mean blood pressure, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in a representative Czech population sample from 1985 to 2007/2008.

Methods: Source data on mortality rates were provided by the Czech Statistical Office and further processed by the Institute for Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic. Six independent cross-sectional population surveys were conducted in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1997/1998, 2000/2001, and 2007/2008 with randomly selected men and women aged 25-64 years and resident in six districts of the Czech Republic (Praha-východ, Benešov, Pardubice, Chrudim, Cheb, and Jindřichův Hradec).

Longitudinal trends in major cardiovascular risk factors in the Czech population between 1985 and 2007/8. Czech MONICA and Czech post-MONICA.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess longitudinal trends in major CV risk factors in a representative population sample of the Czech Republic.

Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys of CV risk factors were conducted within the WHO MONICA project in six Czech districts in 1985 (n=2570), 1988 (n=2768), and 1992 (n=2343). In 1997/98, 2000/01, and 2007/08, another three screenings for CV risk factors (a 1% random sample, aged 25-64, mean age 45 years) were conducted in the six original districts (n=1990; 2055; and 2246, respectively).

Trends in blood pressure levels, prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the Czech population from 1985 to 2000/01.

Objective: To assess trends in blood pressure (BP) levels, prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in the Czech population from 1985 to 2000/01.

Design: Five independent cross-sectional population surveys conducted in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1997/98, and 2000/01.

Setting: Six, mostly rural, districts of the Czech Republic (Praha-východ, Benesov, Pardubice, Chrudim, Cheb, and Jindrichův Hradec).