Only one in 10 people in France have ‘ideal’ cardiovascular health, says new report
Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in France
Women are more affected by increased cardiovascular issues than men, which SPF called “a worrying deterioration in women’s health”
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Only one in 10 of people in France have ‘ideal’ cardiovascular health with smoking rates and national inequalities in patient care major causes, the national public health agency has warned.
Santé publique France (SPF) published a new study on the health level of people in France on March 4, aiming to offer “a comprehensive snapshot of cardio-neurovascular diseases and their risk factors in France”. The latest figures date to 2022.
SPF stated: “Only 11% of the population have ideal cardiovascular health.”
Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in France, behind cancer. These conditions were linked to one million hospitalisations in 2022, and 140,000 deaths in 2021, SPF said.
“These conditions represent a considerable burden on public health and the healthcare system, which is characterised by significant social and regional inequalities,” it concluded. “These results highlight the need to improve care and strengthen prevention in order to effectively reduce the associated risk factors.”
The most damaging, costly conditions are:
Ischaemic heart disease, with more than 240,000 hospitalised patients and 31,000 deaths.
Heart failure, with more than 180,000 hospitalised patients and 25,000 deaths.
Stroke, with more than 120,000 hospitalised patients and more than 30,000 deaths. They are also the leading cause of cardio-neuro-vascular mortality in women, with 18,000 deaths per year.
Other cardio-neuro-vascular diseases, such as venous thrombosis or peripheral artery disease, also represent “a heavy burden” SPF said, adding that these diseases are often preventable.
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‘Detrimental behaviours’
Women are also more affected than men, which SPF called “a worrying deterioration in women’s health”. The study cited several possible explanations for this.
“Smoking has increased among certain generations of women. [Overall] they are adopting “behaviours that are more detrimental to their health,” it said.
These behaviours include:
More than one in 10 women and three in 10 men drink alcohol regularly, and a quarter of adults still smoke daily, the study said.
This increases the risk of heart attack, with rates increasing among women aged under 65 over the past 15 years. The quality of cardiovascular care for women has not improved at the same rate, SPF said.
“[Female patients are] less often hospitalised in intensive care [than male patients] even though they present more acute complications with higher early mortality,” it said.
It also highlighted:
“The lack of diagnosis and management of these metabolic risk factors is alarming,” SPF said.
It added that:
“This delays preventive interventions and appropriate management,” it said.
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Regional and educational differences
There is also a significant disparity in cardiovascular health and treatment options in different regions of the country, SPF said. The level of education and geographic area have a major impact on outcomes.
“Only 4% of adults with an educational level below baccalaureate have optimal cardiovascular health compared to 21% for people with a higher level of education,” the study stated.
The hospitalisation rate for cardiovascular disease is 30% higher in disadvantaged municipalities, the study said.
Access to specialised care is also unequal, with the spread of “specialised facilities, such as neurovascular units or cardiac rehabilitation” not the same nationwide. This complicates the care and follow-up of patients in these underserved areas, SPF warned.
“This important work confirms the major burden of cardio-neuro-vascular diseases on public health,” said Dr Caroline Semaille, director general of SPF, in the report.
“This burden is not inevitable; prevention must be at the heart of our actions to age in better health. Adopting more health-promoting behaviours, early diagnosis, managing modifiable risk factors and preventing complications are all essential actions to reduce the impact of these largely preventable diseases,” she said.
Can I get a health check for these conditions?
People in France can get a free health check every five years, which aims to identify common conditions early on and ensure better, more preventative treatment. It includes a blood pressure check.
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The service is available to those who benefit from the Sécurité sociale or MSA (mutuelle sociale agricole). This means anyone who is part of the state healthcare system.
Often known as a ‘check-up santé’, the full name is an ‘EPS (examen de prévention en santé)’ in French (and it was previously known as a bilan de santé gratuit).
To see if you are eligible for a check and to book one if so, you can contact your local Assurance Maladie office, or the closest examination centre near you. You may also receive an invitation for a test, depending on your age.
The free tests are done at 85 centres d’examens de santé (health exam centres) across the country.
