Gulliver syndrome: a new approach to cardiovascular risk assessment

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality globally. More than 75 % of these deaths occur in low-income or developing countries. This situation is primarily attributed to limited access to health services, which leads to delayed diagnosis and management and, consequently, contributes to increased mortality. From this perspective, it is evident that the healthcare response should be guided by a preventative approach toward the early detection of cardiovascular risk factors. In this context, we propose the clinical concept known as Gulliver syndrome, a phenomenon that is particularly relevant in patients with profiles that do not meet conventional thresholds for initiating treatment but who accumulate several factors at suboptimal levels, constituting a residual risk burden that must be promptly addressed. The adoption of these new criteria and their effective use in routine clinical practice can ensure comprehensive and individualized assessment by professionals at different levels of care, as well as empower the population to take an active role in promoting their cardiovascular health.