Calculator of Cardiovascular Disease Risk
What Is The Framingham Risk Score System?
Cardiovascular Diseases are becoming overly increased, heart diseases are some of the leading causes of mortality and hospitalization around the world. For that very purpose, we have the Framingham Risk Score, which is an algorithm that is used by medical professionals to calculate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10-years.
The Framingham Risk Score takes its name from the Framingham Heart Study, apparently, this system is used for both men and women.
Outcomes Of Framingham Risk Score
There are many outcomes of taking the Framingham Risk Score, you can get notified about the following diseases:
- Cardiovascular Disease Risk
- Cerebrovascular Events
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Heart Failure
- Coronary Heart Diseases
How To Use The Framingham Risk Score Calculator?
Using the above-mentioned calculator is very easy, you just have to follow the steps. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Enter Your Gender
The first step asks you to enter your gender
Step 2: Enter Your Age
In the second step, you are required to enter your age
Step 3: Enter Your Total Cholesterol
In the third step, you are required to add your total cholesterol at the time of using the calculator.
Step 4: Enter Your HDL Cholesterol
Here, you have to enter your High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol. If you have a high level of HDL cholesterol then it actually lowers your risk of having heart failure and cardiovascular diseases. Good levels of HDL Cholesterol are the following:
- Men: 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or above
- Women: 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L) or above
Step 5: Enter Your Systolic BP
Here, you have to add your Systolic Blood Pressure. Systolic Blood Pressure is the top number of your reading, add it to the calculator.
Step 6: Enter Your Smoking Condition
Enter if you are an active smoker or not.
Step 7: Enter If You Are Treated For High Blood Pressure
Here you have to enter if you ever had high blood pressure or have been treated for it.
What Will Be The Results?
Upon entering all the required data, you will be given a score. Now, the higher the score you get, the more risk you have of developing cardiovascular disease. If the score is low then the chances of getting inflicted are also low. If a person’s BP is more than 185 or less than 100 then they shouldn’t be using this calculator.
What Are The Benefits Of These Risk Scores?
Using the Framingham Risk Score or other calculators like these results in many benefits. First of all, a person can prevent cardiovascular diseases within time, they don’t have to be at risk. This helps both the patient and their doctors in figuring out if a lifestyle change is needed so that their health could be optimized.
These calculators also help in deciding the best type of medication and treatments, making the doctor’s work a bit easier. Doctors can also get to know about the effects of treatment for the patients, what will be the results post-surgery, and how many patients can have that disease.
Limitations Of The Framingham Risk Score?
There are some limitations of using the Framingham Risk Score.
- It does not predict future total cardiovascular events like a stroke or transient ischemic attack
- It could overestimate or underestimate the risk in countries other than America
Important Notice: Calculators like the Framingham Risk Score are beneficial but they are not alternatives for the advice of professionals. There it is advised that you always seek professional medical advice first before using any type of calculator!
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framingham_Risk_Score
https://reference.medscape.com/calculator/252/framingham-risk-score-2008
https://jhpn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41043-017-0114-0