Title

The underutilization of preventive cardiovascular measures in patients with cancer: An analysis of the behavioural risk factor surveillance system, 2011-22

Document Type

Article

Department

Cardiology; Office of the Provost

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to characterize the influence of a cancer diagnosis on the use of preventive cardiovascular measures in patients with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Methods and results: Data from the Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (spanning 2011-22) were used. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were applied to calculate average marginal effects (AME), the average difference in the probability of using a given therapy between patients with and without cancer. Outcomes of interest included the use of pharmacological therapies, physical activity, smoking cessation, and post-CVD rehabilitation. Among 5 012 721 respondents, 579 114 reported a history of CVD (coronary disease or stroke), and 842 221 reported a diagnosis of cancer. The association between cancer and the use of pharmacological therapies varied between those with vs. without CVD (P-value for interaction: Conclusion: Preventive pharmacological agents are underutilized in those with cancer and concomitant CVD, and physical activity is underutilized in patients with cancer in those with or without CVD.
Lay summary: •This paper compared the use of preventive cardiovascular measures, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, in patients with and without cancer.•In patients with cardiovascular disease and cancer, there is a lower use of preventive cardiovascular medications compared with those with cardiovascular disease but without cancer. This includes a lower utilization of blood pressure-lowering medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, and aspirin.•Patients with cancer reported lower levels of exercise but higher levels of smoking cessation compared with those without cancer

Publication ( Name of Journal)

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjpc/zwad146

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