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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Cardiac Risk Scores
Introduction
A cardiac risk score is a tool used by doctors to estimate a person's risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a cardiac event (such as a heart attack) within a certain period. These scores help guide treatment decisions and preventive measures.
Why is it Important?
Understanding your cardiac risk score can help you make lifestyle changes, start preventive medications, and work with your doctor to reduce your chances of heart disease.
Common Cardiac Risk Scores
Several risk scoring systems are widely used:
- Framingham Risk Score (FRS): Estimates the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease based on factors like age, cholesterol, smoking, and blood pressure.
- SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation): Developed in Europe to assess cardiovascular risk over 10 years.
- ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) Risk Score: Used in the U.S. to estimate the 10-year risk of heart attack or stroke.
- Reynolds Risk Score: Includes inflammatory markers (like hs-CRP) for better risk estimation.
What Factors Influence Your Cardiac Risk Score?
Your score is calculated based on: - Age and gender - Blood pressure levels - Cholesterol levels - Smoking status - Diabetes - Family history of cardiovascular disease
How to Reduce Your Risk?
Even if your cardiac risk score is high, you can take steps to lower your risk:
- Healthy Eating: Follow a Mediterranean or DASH diet.
- Regular Exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
- Control Blood Pressure & Cholesterol: Regular check-ups and medications if needed.
- Quit Smoking: Reduces risk significantly.
- Manage Stress and Sleep Well.
Conclusion
A cardiac risk score is a powerful tool to predict heart disease risk. If you are concerned about your heart health, consult a doctor to assess your risk and discuss preventive strategies.
Source recommendations
1. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/ESC-Guidelines-on-non-cardiac-surgery-cardiovascular-assessment-and-managem
2. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines on the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000677
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24222018/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000437741.48606.98
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements/prevent-calculator
- https://tools.acc.org/ascvd-risk-estimator-plus/
3. ACC/AHA Guidelines on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000678
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30879355/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678
- https://www.jacc.org/guidelines/prevention
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30879339/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.