Finding those at high risk of CVD and providing appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths. The article highlights the importance of using the Absolute CVD Risk Calculator as a tool for identifying individuals at risk and reducing the incidence and death of CVDs.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a category of heart and blood vessel disorders that include coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. In 2016, CVDs were responsible for an estimated 17.9 million deaths, or 31% of all worldwide fatalities. 85 per cent of these fatalities were a result of heart attacks and strokes.

Approximately 75% of CVD-related fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, where hypertension is one of the most significant risk factors for CVDs. In 2016, 63% of all fatalities in India were attributable to NCDs, with 27% attributable to CVDs. CVDs were also responsible for 45% of mortality among those aged 40 to 69.

Persons at risk for CVD may have elevated blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol levels, in addition to being overweight and obese. Identifying people at the greatest risk for CVDs and ensuring that they get the proper therapy may avoid early deaths. In the new millennium, cardiovascular diseases have surpassed infectious diseases as the major cause of death in India. CVD is the leading cause of mortality in all areas of India, despite the vast heterogeneity in the prevalence of risk factors in different regions. India is becoming the global leader in chronic heart disease.

Up to 90 per cent of the risk of myocardial infarction is attributable to modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Absolute CVD risk assessment is an integrated method that combines the cumulative risk of several cardiovascular risk factors to predict the probability of having a heart attack or stroke during the next five years.

How can I utilise the Absolute CVD Risk Calculator?

The Australian CVD risk calculator computes a risk score, presented as a percentage, that represents a person's likelihood of experiencing a heart attack or stroke within the next five years. The absolute risk calculator is based on the Framingham Risk Equation, a prediction equation. Validity testing has shown that this equation has excellent predictive performance.

All 45- to 74-year-old persons who do not have CVD or who are not at clinically high risk should undergo absolute CVD risk assessment using the calculator provided.

What is the purpose of this tool?

This online resource is intended to assist and encourage general practises to include heart health checks in normal patient treatment. It gives a variety of information and simple tools in one location.

By making it simpler to plan, remember, and administer the heart health check (as per the recommendations), more individuals at risk will be identified and treated, hence reducing the incidence and death of cardiovascular disease in Australia.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

About the author of this article: Dr Monish Raut is a practising super specialist from New Delhi.