There are other risk factors linked to heart and circulatory disease risk, apart from age, which should be considered, say researchers from the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, even though experts have often suggested that age alone might be enough for predicting risk.
Their study, published in PLoS ONE, suggests that:
“..predicating risk in those aged over 55 alone achieves a heart disease ‘risk prediction’ as good as our current screening systems, which also include testing for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.”
According to Natasha Stewart, senior cardiac nurse, British Heart Foundation:
“This research shows similar results to other more detailed risk assessments in an older population. But vitally it would miss younger people in higher risk groups such as those with a family history of heart disease, people of South Asian origin and people with diabetes.
Because this model is cheaper it may be useful for a widespread screening programme. But it’s essential that we continue full risk assessments for younger people who may be at significant risk of getting heart and circulatory disease.
Recognising and treating other risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure in people aged 40 to 55 could prevent them from developing heart and circulatory disease in the first place, which is the best outcome for them and makes economic sense for the NHS too.”
Source: The British Heart Foundation
Written by Christian Nordqvist