Socioeconomic status as determinant of individual cardiovascular risk

In this issue of Atherosclesosis, Lassale et al. aimed to assess the socioeconomic determinants of change in midlife CVH in a biracial cohort of nearly 11K people from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.. By recording the AHA LS7 score at baseline and 6 years later, the authors identified some vulnerable groups at higher risk of worsening CVH over time. Based on the authors’ observations, determinants of deterioration in CVH in the entire population were black race, low education, low income and unemployment. This study has crucial and relevant clinical implications outlining the features of individuals at increased risk of worsening CVH over the time, and to whom interventions of CV prevention should be primarily addressed.