New tool refines heart risk prediction
Adding C-reactive protein and family history modernizes and improves the standard risk tool.
When should the tried-and-true make way for something new? That's a question we all face from time to time, whether it has to do with Thanksgiving traditions or new business practices. In cardiology, one of the tried-and-trues is the Framingham risk score. It has been used millions of times to estimate an individual's chances of having a heart attack. Why bother with such a seemingly macabre task? Knowing your risk can help you and your doctor take steps against the prediction coming true without overdoing it.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise