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The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among ethnic minorities in plateau areas and their association with sociodemographic characteristics. From September 2023 to January 2024, data were collected among ethnic minorities in plateau areas of Yunnan Province through face-to-face interviews. Ordered logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to assess the association between sociodemographic characteristics and the risk of clustering of risk factors. A total of 2457 participants with a median age of 56.00 years were investigated. Insufficient vegetable and fruit intake (42.21%) was the most prevalent behavioral risk factor, followed by current smoking (26.62%). Hypertension (44.24%) was the most prevalent metabolic risk factor, followed by overweight/obesity (39.32%). Among participants, 44.36% had one behavioral risk factor, 21.69% had two, and 4.84% had three or more. The prevalence of participants having 1, 2, 3 or ≥ 4 metabolic risk factors was 29.55%, 21.86%, 15.83% and 5.54%, respectively. The clustering of behavioral risk factors was more prominent among participants aged 65–75, males, Tibetans, illiterates, and rural residents, while the risk of metabolic risk factor clustering was greater in older individuals, those with a high school education or higher, urban residents, and those with higher household incomes. CVD risk factors are highly prevalent and clustered among ethnic minorities in plateau areas of Yunnan Province, displaying heterogeneity across sociodemographic characteristics. Interventions targeting these risk factors may reduce the CVD burden of ethnic minorities in the plateau areas.

Background The burden of valvular heart disease (VHD) is rising rapidly globally, accompanied by substantial geographical disparities. Although altitude may influence cardiovascular system, no community-based studies have yet explored altitudinal differences in VHD epidemiology. Objective This study aims to investigate the prevalence, spectrum and aetiology of VHD in different altitude areas. Methods We conducted two sequential community-based echocardiography screening programmes in Yunnan Province of China and included 5059 eligible participants aged 35 years and older. The multivariable Poisson regression models with robust variance were performed to assess the association of different altitude groups with VHD and its subtypes. Results The prevalence of overall VHD, clinically significant VHD and clinically significant regurgitant VHD was 36.7%, 2.5% and 2.4%, respectively. After stratification by altitude, the prevalence of any VHD among participants in the <2000 m, 2000–2499 m, 2500–2999 m and ≥3000 m groups was 30.4%, 40.9%, 35.0% and 44.3%, respectively. The fully adjusted models showed that the prevalence ratios for VHD in the 2000–2499 m, 2500–2999 m and ≥3000 m groups were 1.28 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.42), 1.20 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.41) and 1.34 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.72), compared with the <2000 m group. Clinically significant VHD in the <3000 m altitude group was predominantly degenerative in aetiology, whereas functionality was most prevalent in the ≥3000 m altitude group. Subgroup analysis identified some high-risk populations, including male, minority ethnicity, 60 years and older and high systolic blood pressure. Conclusions Adults living at high altitudes have a higher prevalence risk of VHD; significant altitudinal differences exist in the characteristics and aetiology of VHD. The findings could provide insights into primary prevention and early screening for VHD in low- and middle-income countries where a majority of the population lives at high altitudes.

Available evidence falls short in assessing the risk of long-term outcomes among individuals with hypertension residing at various altitudes. We aimed to investigate the association between residential altitude and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among hypertensive patients. This cohort study encompassed 67,275 hypertensive patients aged ≥35 years who participated in China’s Basic Public Health Service Program in 2018. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their residence altitude: 2,500 m. The associations between residential altitude and the risks of all-cause and CVD mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. The dose-response relationship was performed by the restricted cubic spline with multivariable adjusted models. Among the 67,275 hypertensive patients included in the study (mean age of 63.9 years, with 45.3% male), 8,768 deaths were recorded, of which 5,666 were attributed to CVD. Following multivariate adjustment, when compared to the group residing at altitudes < 500 m, the groups living at altitudes of 500-1,499 m, 1500-2,500 m, and > 2,500 m exhibited significantly risks of all-cause mortality [HR = 1.45 (95% CI: 1.36–1.54), 1.35 (95% CI: 1.28–1.43), and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.28–1.54), respectively] and CVD mortality [HR = 1.47 (95% CI: 1.35–1.58), 1.42 (95% CI: 1.33–1.52), and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.31–1.62), respectively]. The restricted cubic spline curves revealed a nonlinear relationship between residential altitude and all-cause and CVD mortality. The risk of mortality was higher among participants with poorly controlled blood pressure, aged 65 years and above, and living in rural areas. This study demonstrated a significant association between long-term residential high-altitude exposure and increased risks of all-cause and CVD mortality among hypertension patients. The implications of the findings call for a prioritization of public health resource allocation and early intervention efforts, especially for those living at high altitudes and in low-income areas where hypertension is prevalent.

Background: Cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, are increasingly prevalent globally, yet evidence in economically underdeveloped high-altitude areas remains limited. This study sought to assess the prevalence and control of these diseases in the southwestern plateau areas of China and to evaluate their associations with altitude and sociodemographic factors. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional surveys among adults aged ≥35 years in the southwestern plateau areas of China. Disease definitions were based on measured biomarkers, self-reported diagnoses, and medication use. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were applied to examine associations between sociodemographic factors, altitude, and prevalence and control rates of cardiometabolic disorders. Results: 7,668 adults with an average age of 54.88 ± 12.64 years were investigated. The prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates were 46.20%, 58.65%, 43.80%, and 15.75% for hypertension; 37.06%, 15.90%, 5.77%, and 2.11% for dyslipidemia; 11.79%, 27.54%, 21.68%, and 6.86% for diabetes. Higher disease prevalence was associated with male, older age, higher income, overweight/obesity, and alcohol use. Reduced control and treatment rates were observed at altitudes ≥2,242 m, among younger adults, smokers, and drinkers. Altitude significantly modified the association between sociodemographic factors and cardiometabolic disorders. Furthermore, there was a non-linear relationship between these rates and both age and altitude of residence. Conclusions: This study reveals a high burden of cardiometabolic disorders with suboptimal management in the southwestern plateau areas of China. Altitude and sociodemographic factors significantly interact with disease prevalence and control. Targeted public health efforts should prioritize high-risk populations and regions to improve prevention and management.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has been established as a safe and effective option for treating patients with severe symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) who are at prohibitive surgical risk. However, the significant cost presents a considerable disease burden in low-income countries. This case details the treatment of a high-surgical-risk patient with severe degenerative MR by using the GeminiOne (Peijia Medical) system—a novel Chinese TEER device.