Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death of
American women. Are you at risk? The American Heart Association
(AHA) offers a way to classify the likelihood of developing
CVD—one that goes beyond the Framingham global risk score. The
Framingham score places women in categories (from high risk to
optimal) based on factors like age, total cholesterol, and blood
pressure. The total score has been to calculate a woman’s
10-year risk of developing the disease. The problem with this is
that a low score does not necessarily reflect risk over the
course of a lifetime. With that in mind, the AHA recommends
doctors take a more comprehensive view of cardiovascular risk.
Adding to the Framingham score, doctors should examine the
patient’s medical and lifestyle history, family history of CVD,
as well as other genetic conditions. The AHA aims to tackle
heart disease in women by evaluating lifetime risk and
determining the most appropriate preventive measures. The goals
also include more aggressive tactics for