November 1, 2022

Cardiovascular disease research

Our research scientists have used our rich, longitudinal data to advance knowledge about cardiovascular disease and improve practice and patient outcomes.

The office of the U.S. surgeon general defines substance use disorders as “medical illness[es] caused by repeated misuse of a substance or substances, characterized by clinically significant impairments in health [and] social function, and impaired control over substance use, and diagnosed through assessing cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms.”1 They are neurobiological disorders that involve a complex interplay between genetics and environment, and they are often effectively treated.

The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 10% of Americans over age 11 have alcohol use disorders.2 More than 20% of Americans age 12 and older use marijuana or illicit drugs.2 Approximately 5.8% of Americans misuse prescription drugs, while 3.4% misuse opioid drugs.2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 12.5% of American adults are current smokers,3 while 2.3% use smokeless tobacco products.4 Misuse of all these substances varies with respect to the prevalence of use and use disorders — each has different risk factors, associated health risks, treatment modalities, and treatment outcomes.

Kaiser Permanente publications related to CVD since 2007

Source: Kaiser Permanente Publications Library and Scite metrics, as of November 29, 2021.

KP publications related to cardiovascular disease since 2007: 1,827 journal articles, 92,106 citations, 1,343 citations in PubMed Guidelines.

Cardiovascular disease is an active area of study for Kaiser Permanente Research. Scientists across the organization have used our rich, comprehensive, longitudinal data to advance knowledge in the areas of understanding risk, improving patient outcomes, and translating research findings into policy and practice.

We have published more than 1,800 articles related to CVD since 2007.5 Together, these articles have been cited over 92,000 times. These articles are the product of observational studies, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and other studies led by Kaiser Permanente scientists.

Our unique environment — a fully integrated care and coverage model in which our research scientists, clinicians, medical groups, and health plan leaders collaborate — enables us to contribute important knowledge about CVD, and many other research topics.


References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Disease Facts. 2022; https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/ facts.htm. Accessed October 6, 2022.
  2. Virani SS, Alonso A, Aparicio HJ, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2021 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021;143(8):e254-e743.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke Facts. 2022. Accessed October 6, 2022
  4. 3. Yang Q, Tong X, Schieb L, et al. Vital Signs: Recent Trends in Stroke Death Rates - United States, 2000-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.. 2017;66(35):933-939.
  5. Kaiser Permanente Publications Library (KPPL) Search conducted on November 29, 2021: (dc.title:cardiac OR dc.title:cardiovascular OR dc.title:cerebrovascular OR dc.title:heart OR dc.title:stroke OR dc.subject. mesh:”aortic diseases” OR dc.subject.mesh:aneurysm OR dc.subject.mesh:”atrial fibrillation” OR dc.subject. mesh:”brain infarction” OR dc.subject.mesh:”brain ischemia” OR dc.subject.mesh:”cardiovascular abnor- malities” OR dc.subject.mesh:”cardiovascular diseases” OR dc.subject.mesh:”cardiovascular infections” OR dc.subject.mesh:cerebrovascular OR dc.subject.mesh:”embolism and thrombosis” OR dc.subject.mesh:”heart diseases” OR dc.subject.mesh:hypertension OR dc.subject.mesh:”intracranial arterial diseases” OR dc.subject.mesh:”intracranial hemorrhages” OR dc.subject.mesh:”pregnancy complications, cardiovascular” OR dc.subject.mesh:stroke OR dc.subject.mesh:”vascular diseases”) AND dc.type:”Journal Article” AND dc.date. issued:[2007 2022]