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Framingham Risk Scoring

The Framingham coronary prediction method estimates the risk of coronary health disease (CHD) over the course of 10 years. Angina pectoris, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and death from coronary disease are considered CHD for the purposes of the scoring. Other heart and vascular diseases are not included.

The factors used to calculate the score include age, sex, total cholestorol level (mg/dl), HDL cholesterol level (mg/dl), systolic blood pressure (mm/Hg), and whether the person smokes. The answer is given as a percentage.

The FRS applies only to people without known heart disease

The 10-year hazards of CHD are overall high in older persons which might over-identify patients requiring aggressive interventions. Relative risk estimates (risk in comparison with low risk individuals) may be more useful than absolute risk estimates in the elderly. Similarly, because the score estimates the risk of developing CHD within a 10-year time period, the . This risk score may not adequately reflect the long-term or lifetime CHD risk of younger adults.

A recent large-scale study of men under age 30 with no history of heart problems found the FRS was not effective in predicting problems. The system is much more accurate in older people. There has also been suggestion that the system underestimates risk among lower socioeconomic groups. The medical profession has come to understand the limitations of FRS but still finds it useful. Additional tests for atherosclerosis are under development. A system called the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) score has been developed for people ages 15 to 34.

The federal government offers an online calculator for figuring your risk. http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=prof

ITFPCHD calculator