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Cardiology6 min

How to Assess Your Global Cardiovascular Risk

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Understand how cardiovascular risk calculators work and what modifiable risk factors you can control.

The Importance of Risk Assessment

Many cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, occur in people who "seemed fine". Risk assessment aims to identify the probability of such an event occurring in the next 10 years, allowing for early preventive interventions.

Main Risk Calculators

There are several validated tools, the most common being:

  • Framingham Score: The most classic, estimates the risk of coronary heart disease in 10 years.
  • Global Risk Score (GRS): Widely used, considers a broader range of cardiovascular events.
  • ASCVD Risk Estimator (ACC/AHA): American guideline focused on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Risk Factors Considered

Most calculators use a standard set of variables:

  • Age and Sex: Risk naturally increases with age and varies between men and women.
  • Cholesterol: High levels of LDL ("bad") and low HDL ("good").
  • Blood Pressure: Hypertension is one of the biggest villains of vascular health.
  • Smoking: Smoking significantly multiplies the risk.
  • Diabetes: Considered a coronary risk equivalent.

Risk Stratification

After calculation, the patient is classified into:

  • Low Risk: < 5% chance of event in 10 years. Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
  • Intermediate Risk: 5 to 20%. May improve with statins or stricter blood pressure control.
  • High Risk: > 20%. Aggressive drug intervention and drastic lifestyle changes are mandatory.

The Power of Prevention

The good news is that many factors are modifiable. Quitting smoking, controlling weight, exercising, and eating a balanced diet can reverse a high-risk status and protect your heart.