Comparison of the Cardiovascular Health Status of the American and French Populations Using Connected Devices

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in both the United States (US) and France (FR). However, while it causes 1 out of every 3 deaths in the US, the rate is just 1 out of every 5 deaths in FR. The aim of this study was to use connected devices and metrics from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from the American Heart Association to determine the difference in cardiovascular risk factors between the two countries. Methods: A questionnaire based on the BRFSS was sent through the Withings Health Mate mobile application to a cohort of 7932 users of Withings devices living in the US and FR. Each user had at least 1 value of weight in the last month and 3 days of steps per day of the week in the last 6 months. For each of the 7 metrics in the BRFSS, we assigned users an optimal, intermediate, or poor status. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Physical Activity (PA) levels were automatically populated using data from Withings devices and database. Results: Of the total users, 4342 were from the US, and 3590 were from FR. The study cohort is characterized by a mean age of 43.6 ± 26.7 years old and is composed of 68% of men and 32% of women. The mean scores were 9.5 (US) and 10.0 (FR) ( p<10 -5 ). The percentage of each population with an overall optimal score was 56% (US) and 64% (FR) ( p<10 -5 ). Differences between the US & FR in the prevalence of poor & optimal status of each risk factor are disclosed below. Poor status of BMI, PA, hypertension, hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia are significantly higher in the US. However, poor status of smoking is significantly higher in FR. Conclusion: This study suggests that except for smoking, which is 3 times less frequent in the US than in FR, all other risk factors have more frequent poor status in the US. Such data gives new insights into goals to set to improve cardiovascular health in the US and FR.