Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Intradermal Microdialysis: An Approach to Investigating Novel Mechanisms of Microvascular Dysfunction in Humans
08:21

Intradermal Microdialysis: An Approach to Investigating Novel Mechanisms of Microvascular Dysfunction in Humans

Published on: July 21, 2023

[The global risk for cardiovascular disease. Who is a candidate for pharmacological prevention?]

H Gohlke1

  • 1Klinische Kardiologie II, Herz-Zentrum Bad Krozingen, Südring 15, 79189 Bad Krozingen, Germany.

Zeitschrift Fur Kardiologie
|March 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular events are rare individually, but risk stratification helps guide preventive treatment. Calculating the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) clarifies the absolute benefit of interventions for coronary artery disease prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Health Economics

Context:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses significant epidemiological risk, yet individual cardiovascular events are infrequent.
  • Uncertainty exists regarding the optimal timing for initiating medical treatment for CAD.
  • Risk factor modification yields relative risk reduction, but absolute benefit depends on global risk.

Purpose:

  • To evaluate the utility of global risk stratification and Number Needed to Treat (NNT) calculations in guiding preventive treatment decisions for coronary artery disease.
  • To determine acceptable NNT thresholds for primary prevention strategies.

Summary:

  • Global cardiovascular risk, estimated via scoring systems, dictates the absolute benefit of preventive measures.
  • The Number Needed to Treat (NNT) quantifies the usefulness of interventions, with NNT < 200 considered acceptable for primary prevention.
  • Pharmacological interventions are effective for primary prevention when 10-year global risk is ≥20%, with age being a key predictor.

Impact:

  • Risk stratification and NNT estimation are crucial for personalized treatment decisions in cardiovascular disease prevention.
  • This approach optimizes resource allocation by focusing on individuals who will derive the greatest absolute benefit from interventions.
  • Informing clinical practice guidelines for the management of cardiovascular risk factors.

More Related Videos

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis07:51

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications01:18

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However, frequent irregular...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care01:27

Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care

Interprofessional care for coronary artery disease includes pharmacological therapy and revascularization procedures.Pharmacological therapy for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) aims to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and improve patient outcomes through various classes of medications:Antiplatelet Agents:Aspirin and Clopidogrel: These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, preventing blood clots, which is crucial for avoiding heart attacks and strokes. Doctors often prescribe these...
Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets01:29

Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets

Advances in genomics have profoundly influenced drug discovery by increasing both the speed and accuracy of pharmaceutical development. Pharmacogenomics, which examines how genetic variation influences drug response, facilitates the identification of novel therapeutic targets and enables patient stratification for personalized treatment. These strategies contribute to improved drug efficacy, minimized adverse effects, and more efficient clinical trial design.Mapping genetic differences...