Heart risk programme released can predict heart and stroke risk

Main Category: Cholesterol
Article Date: 05 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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A new computer programme has been developed that can help predict patients' risk of myocardial infarction or stroke over 10 years.

The HeartScore programme, developed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), assesses individual risk factors such as hypertension, cholesterol levels, smoking, gender and age to give a personal risk profile.

"HeartScore is an excellent tool to help doctors better predict and discuss risk factors with their patients," Professor Jean-Pierre Bassand, president of the ESC, said in a statement.

Nurses can download the programme free of charge from the ECS Web site at www.escardio.org/HeartScore.

---- SOME FACTS ABOUT HEARTSCORE ----

HeartScore is the electronic counterpart to the SCORE risk chart. It operates with the same risk factors, end-points, colours, etc… but shows total risk in a bar-chart and the distribution of modifiable risk factors in a pie chart. The expected effect of intervention is calculated from large randomised clinical trials in hypertension and hypercholesterolemia and is also shown in a bar chart.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician may print an individual's health advice based on their actual risk profile. This is presently available in English, but will be done in the national language, both on the screen as well as in print. The health promotion advice for the patient will be compiled from endorsed professional sources in each country.

The HeartScore programme is aimed at improving preventive cardiology across Europe.

The programme is flexible and interactive. It can be updated as new cohort studies become available, and can incorporate new languages, new risk factors and new endpoints as knowledge evolves. Further, the programme can be easily adapted to different countries and different cultures and thus make it easier for clinicians to have rapid, interactive access to appropriate local preventive advice. There is also the potential for centralised data collection and analysis to allow a broad European picture of preventive activity. This may help identify areas where special efforts are needed.

The programme has been developed by the Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, in Denmark.

HeartScore Benefits

-- allows quick & easy risk estimation

-- gives a graphical picture of absolute CVD risk

-- helps optimise the potential benefits of intervention

-- identifies the relative impact of modifiable risk factors

-- offers direct access to relevant information in current guidelines

-- gives a tailored printed health advice based on actual risk profile to your patient

-- encourages behavioural change & compliance to treatment

HeartScore tailored to individual countries

The program can easily be adapted to different countries and different cultures and thus, make it easier for clinicians to have rapid, interactive access to appropriate local preventive advice.

The National Cardiac Societies, in collaboration with national partner organisations, will adapt the guidelines as well as the HeartScore program to local needs with the support of 42 National Coordinators for CVD Prevention.

HeartScore will be available in English and has been translated into all 24 official European languages. However, country specific versions will be available as national endorsement is received.

Official launch & go-live on April 2nd, 2004

Definition of the program as it will be launched:

-- two European versions (high & low risk)

-- based on the four SCORE risk charts (high & low risk, total cholesterol and total cholesterol / HDL cholesterol ratio)

-- based on the newest European Guidelines on CVD Prevention

-- Available in English

The official launch and go-live of HeartScore will take place at the occasion of the "April Days" at the European Heart House in Sophia where the Presidents and Secretaries of National Cardiac Societies, Working Group Chairmen, representtaives of Associations, of the Science Council and the Council of Cardiology Practice will gather for a two-day meeting.

Program available for download here:
/knowledge/decision_tools/heartscore/Program+Download.htm

Contact
Should you have any inquiry, please contact HeartScore@escardio.org

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