The Framingham Heart Study's Impact on Global Risk Assessment

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality, responsible for about 30% of deaths worldwide. Globally, 80% of total CVD deaths occur in developing countries. In recent years, age-adjusted CVD death has been cut in half in developed countries. Much of the decline is due to reductions in risk factors that the Framingham Heart Study helped to identify. The Framingham Heart Study also helped to classify those at highest risk by creating multivariate risk scores. As a result, other investigators have created various risk prediction scores for their countries. These scores have been the foundation for guidelines and prevention strategies in developed countries. However, most scores requiring blood tests may be difficult to implement in developing countries where limited resources for screening exist. New studies and risk scores inspired by the Framingham Heart Study need to simplify risk scoring in developing countries so that affordable prevention strategies can be implemented. (Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2010;53:68-78) (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.