Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are a general term for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which are characterized by high morbidity, high mortality, high recurrence rate, high disability rate and high economic burden. According to the China Cardiovascular Health and Disease Report 2022, the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases in mainland China are still on the rise, with about 245 million people suffering from hypertension and 2 out of every 5 deaths in the country. Epidemiological surveys show that there are more than 13 million stroke patients in the mainland, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death among mainland residents. "Three highs" refers to hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, which are risk factors that can be controlled for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and controlling risk factors is the key to reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Obesity, smoking, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy eating habits are the main risk factors for the "three highs" and can be modified. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and their complications are not only the preserve of the elderly, but also show a trend of younger people, which brings great harm to people, affects people's happiness index, and even brings a heavy burden to families and society.
First, the harm of the "three highs".
Unhealthy lifestyles such as unreasonable diet, insufficient exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, overweight and obesity, and irregular life are all common causative factors of the "three highs", so it is very common for hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia to gather in the same person at the same time. A number of large-scale clinical studies have confirmed that the comprehensive management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease risk factors such as blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose at the same time will produce a synergistic effect of "1+1>2". It should be noted that hypertension combined with dyslipidemia increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events by 3 to 4 times; Diabetes mellitus with dyslipidemia increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events by about 2 times; Diabetic patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia have a six-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction and a nearly eight-fold increased risk of stroke. Early screening and identification of "three high" risk factors, and comprehensive risk stratification of patients for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases; In terms of treatment goals, we should not only pay attention to the short-term goals of "three highs" management, but also pay attention to the improvement of long-term cardiovascular and renal outcomes, so as to effectively improve the life expectancy and quality of life of patients.
Second, the close relationship between the "three highs".
Patients with hypertension often have abnormal lipid metabolism, causing hyperlipidemia; Dyslipidemia can easily lead to atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and hypertension; Hyperlipidemia can reduce insulin sensitivity, cause insulin resistance, and lead to an increase in blood sugar; Glucose metabolism disorders in patients with hyperglycemia lead to disorders of blood lipid metabolism. Therefore, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia are risk factors for each other. It is estimated that there are nearly 150 million diabetics in mainland China, and the number of prediabetics is as high as 388 million. Prediabetes is not only a risk factor for diabetes, but also a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
3. Advocate a healthy lifestyle and reduce the occurrence of the "three highs".
1. Reasonable diet: adequate nutrition and calorie balance. Proper meal arrangement includes two aspects: a healthy diet and good eating habits.
2. Exercise regularly. Individuals can choose the appropriate type of exercise according to their age, physical condition and environment. The form of exercise is not important, the important thing is to do what you can, too little and too much exercise are not good for health, step by step, perseverance.
3. Quit smoking and drinking, control weight, and have regular physical examinations. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption will increase the risk of the occurrence of the "three highs", so you should try to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake; Maintaining an appropriate weight can help control blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels, and achieve a healthy weight through a balanced diet and moderate exercise. People with "three highs" should regularly monitor their blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar levels, and follow the doctor's advice for medication or adjustment.
4. Mental balance. Psychological balance is the harmonious state of the inner world, and maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude has a positive effect on the prevention of the "three highs".
Author: Wang Xiaoli
Source: Shenyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Editor: Bai Bing, Sun Kaifeng
Proofreading: Qiu Wei, Chen Zeming
Preliminary review: Sun Baijun
Review: Xu Jiang