Cardiovascular risk factors: SCORE score

Cardiovascular risk is the probability of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as myocardial infarction, stroke, atherosclerosis and others, over a period of time. This risk depends on various factors that can increase or decrease the likelihood of disease. Assessing cardiovascular risk helps doctors and patients determine how important it is to take steps to reduce it.

Factors that influence cardiovascular risk include:

1. Age: The risk of heart disease increases with age. Older people have a higher risk.
2. Gender: Men generally have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease at a young age, but after menopause, women's risk also increases.
3. Genetics and heredity: Having close relatives with a history of cardiovascular disease may increase risk.
4. Blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor.
5. Cholesterol levels: Elevated levels of total cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol may increase your risk.
6. Smoking: Smoking tobacco significantly increases the likelihood of heart disease.
7. Diabetes: Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is associated with increased risk.
8. Obesity: Being overweight and obese can increase stress on the heart and blood vessels.
9. Physical activity: Lack of physical activity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
10. Stress: Prolonged and excessive stress can have negative effects on the heart and blood vessels.
11. Nutrition: A diet rich in saturated fat and sugar may contribute to atherosclerosis and increase risk.
12. Alcohol: Heavy alcohol consumption can increase risk, although in small amounts alcohol can have favorable effects on the heart.

Cardiovascular risk assessment

Can be performed using a variety of clinical scales and calculators that take these factors into account to determine the likelihood of developing CVD. Based on the results of the assessment, the doctor and patient can develop a plan of action to reduce risk, including lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication treatment.

The process of assessing and managing cardiovascular risk may include the following steps:

1. Risk assessment: Your doctor will make a risk assessment based on factors such as age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and others. There are various scales and risk calculators such as the SCORE scale or Framingham calculator, which help determine the likelihood of developing cardiovascular events in the next 10 years.
2. Treatment plan: Based on the risk assessment, the doctor and patient develop a treatment and prevention plan. This plan may include recommendations for lifestyle changes and, if necessary, prescription medications.
3. Lifestyle changes: An important component of managing cardiovascular risk is making positive lifestyle changes. This may include:
   • Healthy eating: Switching to a balanced diet that limits saturated fat and sugar.
   • Regular physical activity: Increasing physical activity levels and maintaining a healthy weight.
   • Smoking cessation: If the patient smokes, quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
   • Stress management: Developing techniques for stress reduction and relaxation.
4. Medications: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, or improve blood sugar control.
5. Regular check-ups: Patients at high risk may require regular medical monitoring and evaluation to monitor and assess the effectiveness of treatment.
6. Adherence to recommendations: It is important that patients follow the doctor's recommendations and professional medical treatment plan.

Assessing and managing your cardiovascular risk can reduce your chances of developing heart disease and improve your overall health. It is important to consult with your doctor to assess your risk and develop an individualized prevention and treatment plan.

What is the SCORE scale?

The SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation) scale is a tool for assessing the risk of cardiovascular events in the next 10 years. It was developed by the European Society of Cardiology and is used to estimate the probability of myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular causes. The SCORE scale takes into account several risk factors and calculates an overall percentage risk. This tool helps doctors and patients determine if additional measures are needed to reduce risk.

The major risk factors considered in the SCORE scale include:

1. Age: The older a person is, the higher the risk.
2. Gender: Men tend to have a higher risk at a young age, but after menopause, women also have an increased risk.
3. Blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk.
4. Smoking: Smoking tobacco significantly increases your risk.
5. Cholesterol levels: Elevated levels of total cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol may increase your risk.
6. Diabetes mellitus: Having diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, is associated with increased risk.
7. Some other factors, such as having close relatives with a history of cardiovascular disease or obesity, may also be considered.

SCORE calculates two types of risk:

1. SCORE for high-risk countries: For countries with high rates of cardiovascular disease, such as Western European countries. This version takes more risk factors into account.
2. SCORE for low-risk countries: For countries with low rates of cardiovascular disease. This version takes fewer risk factors into account.

The SCORE score is presented as a percentage risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction or death from cardiovascular causes) in the next 10 years. Based on the results of the assessment, the physician and patient can develop a prevention and treatment plan that includes lifestyle changes and, if necessary, prescription medications to reduce risk.

SCORE cardiovascular risk calculator

See www.msdmanuals.com

Absolute cardiovascular risk SCORE

This is a percentage value that shows the probability of developing cardiovascular events (CVD), such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, in the next 10 years based on a patient's risk factors. This indicator is used in clinical practice to assess risk and develop individualized CVD prevention plans.

The SCORE absolute cardiovascular risk is calculated based on the following factors:

1. Gender and Age: The patient's age and gender are included in the calculation.
2. Blood pressure: Blood pressure levels are assessed and high blood pressure increases risk.
3. Smoking: Smoking tobacco is considered a strong risk factor.
4. Blood cholesterol levels: Levels of total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol are assessed.
5. Diabetes mellitus: The presence of diabetes is considered as a risk factor.

Based on this data, SCORE calculates interest rate risk, which can be categorized as follows:

• Low risk: Absolute risk is less than 5%.
• Moderate risk: Absolute risk between 5% and 10%.
• High risk: Absolute risk of more than 10%.

This absolute cardiovascular risk helps doctors and patients understand how much susceptibility a particular person has to developing CVD in the next 10 years. Based on this assessment, a prevention and treatment plan can be developed, including recommendations for lifestyle changes and medication prescription. It is an important tool for preventing cardiovascular disease and improving cardiovascular health.

Total cardiovascular risk according to the SCORE scale

Defined as the probability of developing cardiovascular events (e.g., myocardial infarction or stroke) in the next 10 years in percentage terms. The result of the risk assessment can be categorized as:

1. Low risk: If the probability of developing cardiovascular events within 10 years is less than 5%, the risk is considered low. In this case, preventive measures are usually limited to healthy lifestyle advice.
2. Moderate risk: If the chance is between 5% and 10%, the risk is considered moderate. Your doctor may recommend more preventive measures, including lifestyle changes and possibly medication.
3. High risk: If the probability is more than 10%, the risk is considered high. In this case, in addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the risk and more careful medical monitoring.
4. Very high risk: Very high risk means that the likelihood of cardiovascular events is very high and the most intensive prevention and treatment measures, including medication and lifestyle changes, are required.

Total cardiovascular risk is determined based on a comprehensive assessment of risk factors such as age, gender, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking and the presence of diabetes. The risk assessment helps doctors and patients decide on the need for and type of preventive measures and treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease.