CHD


	Home

Despite recent progress in reducing mortality associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), it is still the number one cause of the death in the United States. The major risk factors for CHD are well known and have been studied extensively. One way of studying these risk factors is to follow large groups of Americans over a long period of time, keeping track of their health behaviors and other relevant indictors, and seeing who ultimately develops CHD and who does not.

This tool is based on the thirty-plus year experience of men and women who participated in the Framingham Heart Study, which is probably the best-known study of its kind. It is designed to help you assess your risk of developing CHD over the next 10 years if you are between the ages of 30 and 74. It is important to note that the tool does not take into account all CHD risk factors-most notably family history-which may compromise the results. Another drawback is that it is based on a largely white population; however, some studies have indicated that the results are applicable to African-Americans and other non-white populations.

Before using the tool, you will need to know your:

Blood pressure
Total cholesterol level
HDL-cholesterol level

Like any assessment tool, a positive result does not mean you have the condition; it simply means you are likely to benefit from further evaluation by your doctor.

Please answer the following questions:

1. How old are you?

2. What is your gender?

Male

Female

3. What is your total cholesterol level?

< 160 mg/dl

160–199 mg/dl

200–239 mg/dl

240–279 mg/dl

≥ 280 mg/dl

I don't know

4. What is your HDL-cholesterol ("good cholesterol") level?

< 35 mg/dl

35–44 mg/dl

45–49 mg/dl

50–59

≥60 mg/dl

I don't know

5. What is your blood pressure? Systolic pressure (top number):

< 120 mmHg

120–129 mmHg

130–139 mmHg

140–159 mmHg

≥ 160 mmHg

Diastolic pressure (bottom number):

< 80 mmHg

80–84 mmHg

85–89 mmHg

90–99 mmHg

≥ 100 mmHg

6. Do you have diabetes?

Yes

7. Do you smoke?

Yes

EBSCO Publishing's proprietary interactive calculators provide general results based on input provided by the user that is calculated against measurements or formulas considered standard by various government agencies, including the USDA, CDC, and FDA. The inputted information consists only of single values (e.g., anthropometric data or activity levels) not detailed clinical information, and the results do not indicate or suggest a specific course of action unique to the user.

All EBSCO Publishing health and medical information found on this site is accredited by URAC. URAC's Health Web Site Accreditation Program requires compliance with 53 rigorous standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audits.

Sources

Wilson, Peter W.F. MD. D'Agostino, Ralph B. PhD. Levy, Daniel MD. Belanger, Albert M. BS. Silbershatz, Halit PhD. Kannel, William B. MD. Prediction of Coronary Heart Disease Using Risk Factor Categories.Circulation. 97(18):1837-1847, May 12, 1998.

D'Agostino, Ralph B. Sr PhD. Grundy, Scott MD, PhD. Sullivan, Lisa M. PhD. Wilson, Peter MD. For the CHD Risk Prediction Group. Validation of the Framingham Coronary Heart Disease Prediction Scores: Results of a Multiple Ethnic Groups Investigation.JAMA. 286(2):180-7, 2001 Jul 11