BMC Public Health (Aug 2025)

Prevalence of high 10-year cardiovascular risk among the general population in Malaysia and the associated factors: a nationwide community-based study in 2023

  • Kim Sui Wan,
  • Muhammad Fadhli Mohd Yusoff,
  • Halizah Mat Rifin,
  • Wah Kheong Chan,
  • Nazirah Alias,
  • Sin Wan Tham,
  • Mohd Azmi Bin Suliman,
  • Tania Gayle Robert Lourdes,
  • Thamil Arasu Saminathan,
  • Ping Foo Wong,
  • Masni Mohamad,
  • Nurain Mohd Noor,
  • Lee-Ling Lim,
  • Feisul Mustapha,
  • Noor Ani Ahmad

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23748-3
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in Malaysia. Knowing the current distribution of 10-year CVD risk among the general population is essential for health planning and targeted interventions. Hence, we aim to determine the prevalence of high 10-year CVD risk among the general adult population in Malaysia and the associated factors. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of a dataset from a nationwide cross-sectional community-based study with stratified random sampling. Individuals aged ≥ 30 years were included. The 10-year CVD risk was estimated using the Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Score, which was derived from points depending on sex, age groups, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, untreated systolic blood pressure, treated systolic blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes status. The total points were assigned corresponding risks, and the low, moderate, and high-risk categories were defined as having 20% 10-year CVD risk, respectively. Complex sample multiple logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors associated with the high-risk group. Results The number of eligible participants was 827. The prevalence of high 10-year CVD risk was 21.4% (95%: 17.9–25.3), projecting to 3.6 million people. People with secondary education (aOR: 0.38) and tertiary education (aOR: 0.31) had lower odds of a high 10-year risk than those without formal or primary education. In contrast, inadequate sleep (aOR: 1.49), physical inactivity (aOR: 2.01), moderate physical activity (aOR: 1.79), and fatty liver (aOR: 2.23) were positively associated with a high 10-year CVD risk. Conclusions The prevalence of high 10-year CVD risk among the general adult population in Malaysia is high. Lower education level, sleep inadequacy, physical inactivity, and fatty liver are independent factors associated with a high 10-year CVD risk. Health policymakers, programme managers, and clinicians should screen, identify, and treat people with a high 10-year CVD risk to prevent cardiovascular complications.

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