One in three persons tested in Bucharest and Ilfov has a risk of heart attack or stroke. “Many have realized that you need to go to the doctor.”

One in three persons tested in a screening program in Bucharest and Ilfov has a risk of having a cardiovascular event – myocardial infarction or stroke.

1,564 people were tested to evaluate the risk of having a cardiovascular event within the Cardio Metabolic Pilot Project, implemented by the Coalition of Patients with Chronic Diseases, the largest patient association, between October 2024 – July 2025, in Bucharest and Ilfov.

The project has developed an online risk, a tool made with the support of cardiologists Ioana Daha and Stefan Busnatu and Dacian Toma, family doctor.

“I can't happen to me”

“We set out to create a pilot project that will evaluate the cardiovascular risk based on patient responses,” says Ioan Petre, project coordinator.

“Many have realized that it is necessary to go to the doctor and used the call center over us. I made appointments based on the referrals from the family doctor. We made appointments for a number of 230 people, some returned after 6 months to control.

30% of the people who did the test have a high risk of cardiovascular event (469 people). 7% of people have average risk (109 people) and 63% low risk (986 people).

According to doctors, the risk of cardiovascular event doubles every 10 years. Thus, if between 36 and 45 years, the risk is 15%, between 46 and 55 years is 33%, and between 55-65 years-48%.

There are also differences in sex: men have a higher risk of cardiovascular events (35%), compared to women (27%).

Cardiologist: “Putting together unhealthy habits increases cardiovascular risk”

High risk people have been informed and advised to go to the cardiologist for additional programming and investigations. During the project, over 300 programming were carried out with the specialist doctor and additional investigations and more than 200 people were guided in the health system.

“We need campaigns with useful information for the population. The duration of sleep in a worrying number of people is less than 6 hours a night and it is another unhealthy habit. Almost 60% do not consume fruits and vegetables daily. We do not do physical activity, which is related to the hope and quality of life,” explained Dr. Ioana Daha. screening.

One in three people smoke, adding to these figures and those who have been smoked, and 2/3 of the respondents are overweight, according to the body mass index.

“Putting these unhealthy habits together increases the cardiovascular risk,” cardiologist Ioana Daha draws attention. “Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by healthy habits, prevention, correct treatment and monitoring,” says the cardiologist.

Figures of the Screening Pilot project:

• 69% of tested persons are overweight, according to the body mass index.
• A third I do not move at all.
• A person out of 5 avoids routine consultations and regular analyzes.
• 9.49% have type II diabetes.

Of the tested people, 63% are women and 37% men. 85% have residence in the urban environment and 15% in the rural area. The distribution by age categories is: 17%-35-35 years, 24%-36-45 years, 30%-46-55 years, 23%-56 and 65 years, and 6% over 65 years.