[Why and how to measure cardiovascular risk?]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Thierry Krummel1, Thomas Dervaux, Laura Parvès-Braun
1Service de néphrologie, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, hôpital civil, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex.
Insights
Quantifying cardiovascular risk using predictive models aids therapeutic decisions. Global risk assessment, considering multiple factors, offers a pertinent alternative to single-factor approaches in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Risk Assessment
Context:
- Cardiovascular medicine utilizes absolute and relative risk metrics.
- Global cardiovascular risk assessment is multifactorial and often requires predictive models from large-scale studies like the Framingham cohort.
- Predictive equations remain useful across populations due to the relatively constant weight of discrete risk factors.
Purpose:
- To explore the utility of quantifying cardiovascular risk for therapeutic decision-making.
- To highlight the role of predictive models in assessing multifactorial cardiovascular risk.
- To introduce the concept of global risk assessment as a valuable clinical tool.
Summary:
- Cardiovascular risk can be quantified using absolute and relative risk measures.
- Predictive models, derived from epidemiological studies, are crucial for assessing global cardiovascular risk.
- Therapeutic decisions are enhanced by estimating intervention benefits, often expressed as number needed to treat, considering both baseline risk and treatment effect.
Impact:
- Global risk assessment, validated by trials like the Heart Prevention Study, offers a pertinent and novel approach to daily clinical practice.
- Instantaneous cardiovascular risk calculation is available via the internet, palm computers, or medical press tables.
- This approach aids in estimating the therapeutic benefit of interventions, guiding treatment decisions effectively.
Abstract:
In cardiovascular medicine, the absolute risk is the observed incidence of events over a defined period of time. The relative risk is the multiplicative factor or risk factor. The cardiovascular global risk is multifactorial but is usually difficult to assess without a predictive model derived from large scale epidemiological studies such as Framingham cohort. The relative weight of discrete risk factors is relatively constant in various populations so that predictive equations can be useful, after adjustment, even when absolute risk levels are different. The main interest to quantify the risk is to help the therapeutic decision by estimating the benefit of an intervention. The cardiovascular risk can be calculated instantly either on the Internet or on palm computer or from colourful tables available from medical press. These calculators can also give some estimate of the therapeutic benefit expressed as the number of patients needed to treat to prevent one event. This mode of expression takes into account both the initial absolute risk and the magnitude of the intervention effect. The therapeutic decision based on global risk (by opposition with single risk factor) is now validated by recent trials such as Heart Prevention Study. This novel approach is somewhat upsetting but is a truly pertinent alternative to our daily practice.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT