Cardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy

Review Article

Physical activity for prevention of cardiovascular disease: a consensus statement of the Korean Society of Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease Prevention: Ye Seul Yang, Eu Jeong Ku, Seung-Hyun Ko, Eun-Jung Rhee, Sang-Hyun Ihm, Sung Hee Choi, Won-Young Lee; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2025;7(4):120-134. Published online September 15, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2025.7.e15

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Abstract PDF: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, highlighting the need for effective preventive strategies. This consensus statement emphasizes the critical role of regular physical activity, including aerobic and muscle- strengthening exercises, in reducing key CVD risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and insulin resistance. Recommendations are provided for the general adult population as well as specific subgroups, including older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, individuals with CVD, and those with physical limitations. The importance of reducing sedentary behavior and integrating physical activity into daily life is also addressed. Recommendations should focus on tailored interventions, supportive environments, and evidence-based policies that encourage active lifestyles. Further research specific to the Korean population will enhance the development of evidence-based, population-tailored guidelines for more effective CVD prevention in Korea.

Original Articles

2024 Cardio-cerebrovascular disease fact sheet in Korea: Kyungdo Han, Jin-Hyung Jung, Sang-Suk Choi, Seung-Hyun Ko; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2025;7(3):85-93. Published online July 29, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2025.7.e13

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Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the second most common cause of death in Korea. We investigated the incidence rate of CVD in the Korean adult population using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database.
Methods
This cohort included individuals aged 20 years and older who participated in the National Health Screening Program in 2012, and longitudinal follow-up data were collected through December 2022. The incidence of CVD, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and cardiovascular mortality was evaluated. The incidence of CVD in relation to key cardiovascular risk factors was also analyzed.
Results
A total of 4,737,616 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean age was 47.9 years, with a slight male predominance (54.1%). Older age, male sex, and current smoking were consistently associated with higher risk across all CVD outcomes. The overall adjusted incidence rate was 288.9 per 100,000 person-years for CVD. The 1.6-fold higher incidence of CVD in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 1.5-fold higher incidence in those with hypertension, and 1.4-fold in those with metabolic syndrome clearly demonstrate the cumulative risk conferred by these comorbidities. The most pronounced increase in cardiovascular mortality was observed in individuals with chronic kidney disease, reaching a 2.0-fold higher rate.
Conclusions
CVD and its comorbidities in the Korean adult population represent a significant health burden. Prompt and aggressive lifestyle modification and management of risk factors should be actively emphasized.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Comparison of ischemic cardiovascular events between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin in combination with metformin: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Hayeon Kim, Seung Won Lee, Yejee Lim, Nayoung Han, Suin Kang, Youngjoo Byun, Kyungim Kim, Marwan Salih Al-Nimer
PLOS One.2025; 20(10): e0333604. CrossRef

Changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Eunji Kim, Chan-Hee Jung, Dae Jung Kim, Seung-Hyun Ko, Hae-Young Lee, Kyung-Yul Lee, Dae Ryong Kang, Sung Kee Ryu, Won-Young Lee, Eun-Jung Rhee, Hyeon Chang Kim; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2023;5(1):15-23. Published online January 27, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2023.5.e2

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most pressing health challenge in recent years. Meanwhile, prevention for other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been less prioritized during the pandemic. COVID-19, a novel infectious disease, both had a direct impact on public health and provoked changes in health-related behaviors, including those for CVD prevention. This study sought to examine changes in CVD-related health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and related sociodemographic factors.
Methods
We used data from the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey conducted in Korea in June 2022. A total of 2,000 adults across Korea’s 17 provinces completed a structured questionnaire online or on a mobile device. Self-reported changes in CVD-related health behaviors were investigated. We used unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models to explore the associations between negative changes and sociodemographic factors.
Results
In smoking, drinking, and healthcare service use, the proportion of those with positive changes surpassed the proportion of respondents who reported negative changes. In contrast, negative changes predominated for diet, exercise, and stress. Most individuals (52.6%) reported a deterioration of psychological distress. These negative changes were significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, and the presence of cardiometabolic disease.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected CVD-related health behaviors. Based on these changes, CVD prevention should be encouraged with appropriate and prioritized strategies.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors after the end of social distancing: the 2023 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey
Jaeyong Lee, Eunji Kim, Won-Young Lee, Eun-Jung Rhee, Hyeon Chang Kim
Cardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy.2024; 6(2): 57. CrossRef
Cardiovascular-related health behavior changes: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic challenges
Inha Jung, Won-Young Lee
Cardiovascular Prevention and Pharmacotherapy.2023; 5(4): 99. CrossRef

Review Article

Severe hypoglycemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: is it preventable?: Seung-Hyun Ko; Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2022;4(3):106-113. Published online July 29, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2022.4.e13

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Abstract PDF: Hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is troublesome and an important barrier to diabetes management. Although more intensive glycemic control is emphasized to prevent diabetes-related long-term complications, it raises the risk of hypoglycemia in people with T2DM. Severe hypoglycemia (SH), defined as critical events characterized by altered mental and/or physical status requiring assistance for recovery, is considered an advanced and life-threatening form of hypoglycemia. The detection of SH is an important issue because it is associated with further adverse clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events, mortality, cognitive impairment, and decreased quality of life. By identifying the potential risk factors for SH and introducing measures to minimize SH, SH itself and subsequent harmful clinical outcomes could be prevented in people with T2DM. The traditional risk factors for SH in T2DM, such as older age, long-standing diabetes with decreased insulin secretion, advanced vascular complications, serious comorbidities, and insulin use, are usually unmodifiable. However, unhealthy lifestyle factors, defined as current smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and lack of regular exercise, can be improved through active patient education. In recent research, greater adherence to healthy lifestyle factors and any improvement in unhealthy lifestyle habits were found to be associated with a substantially lower risk of SH in individuals with T2DM. As well as being an essential component of diabetes self-care and optimal glycemic control, lifestyle modification probably contributes to the prevention of SH in individuals with T2DM.

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