American Heart Association updates risk prediction tool with race-free approach
For the first time in a decade, the American Heart Association (AHA) has updated its model for predicting someone’s risk of developing heart disease, reports a new study from Northwestern Medicine published in an academic journal. Circulation.
The update, called PREVENT (Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Event), predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk more accurately and at a younger age than ever before. A race-neutral approach also reflects the need to prioritize health equity when addressing CVD prediction and prevention. Corresponding study author Sadiya Khan, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Magerstadt, said:
“The new PREVENT risk calculator tool allows clinicians to quantify a person’s CVD risk and may help people receive preventive care and treatment earlier to reduce their CVD risk.” said Kahn, an associate professor of medicine and a doctor of preventive medicine at Northwestern Medicine. Cardiologist.
Khan is also the chair of the AHA’s Scientific Statement Development Group. She plans to present the findings today at her AHA’s annual Scientific Sessions event in Philadelphia.
According to the AHA, one in three adults in the United States has three or more risk factors that contribute to CVD, kidney disease, or metabolic disorders. The new equation helps incorporate cardiovascular-renal-metabolic syndrome (CKM) into her CVD prevention.
The new model can predict the risk of heart disease starting 10 years younger than before (now 30 years old) and estimates the risk of heart disease overall, including heart attack and stroke, as well as new heart failure. It also includes a measure of kidney health. The kidneys have recently been recognized as an important risk factor for heart disease that can be managed and treated to improve health outcomes.
“We needed a new heart disease risk calculator, especially one that included measurements of CKM syndrome, a new construct defined by the AHA that is highly prevalent in the United States,” said Kahn. I did.
Race-free approach and other important updates
Risk calculators use health, demographic, and/or socio-economic information in an equation to calculate a risk estimate or score. Equations are developed by scientists based on information from national databases, extensive research studies, and electronic medical records.
The new equation removes race from risk prediction, which the study authors said is a necessary step forward. A person’s race should not influence a patient’s diagnosis and subsequent treatment of her CVD. The decision follows in the footsteps of other national health associations, including the National Kidney Foundation, which has removed race from its clinical algorithms.
Finally, the equation widens the usable age range from 30 to 79 years (previously 40 to 79 years), allowing physicians to cover a larger portion of the adult lifespan. , said Mr. Khan.
The last CVD risk calculator, the Pooled Cohort Equation, was released in 2013. “However, much has changed in the past decade, with new treatments becoming available for CKM diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease,” Khan said.
This calculator was developed using health information from more than 6 million adults, including people from a variety of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds. PREVENT has the option to include social factors if possible.
The CKM Health construct and PREVENT risk calculator provide a more comprehensive patient assessment that incorporates comprehensive CVD risk, including heart failure, and guidance on the use of new drugs that have been shown to have benefits in reducing risks associated with heart failure. It is proposed as a pathway to care. Khan said these include obesity, diabetes and kidney disease.
It is hoped that these factors will be considered and incorporated into future guideline updates.
