18 May AHA/ACC Equations Predict Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Paul D. Loprinzi, PhD.
Assistant Professor
Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management and
Ovuokerie Addoh, MBBS.
PhD Student: Health Behavior & Promotion.
Graduate Asst: Cardiac Rehabilitation
The University of Mississippi
University, MS
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The Pooled Cohort Risk (PCR) equations, developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), were initially developed to predict an individual’s 10-year risk of a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) event. Individuals with a PCR score of 7.5% or higher are considered to have an elevated risk of a first ASCVD event within 10 years. The PCR equation takes into consideration an individual’s age, gender, race-ethnicity, total cholesterol level, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, treated or untreated blood pressure, diabetes status, and smoking status.
The PCR equations have previously been utilized to predict an individual’s 10-year risk of a first ASCVD event; however, less research has evaluated the extent to which the equations can predict an individual’s risk for early mortality.
Adults 40-79 years and free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) who had a higher score from the PCR equations had an increased risk of CVD-specific and all-cause mortality risk. Adults with a higher PCR score had a 47% to 77% increased risk of all-cause mortality.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Our findings provide supportive evidence of the continued need for healthcare providers to emphasize control of modifiable risk factors (as utilized in the PCR equations) in clients who are currently free of cardiovascular disease, in a bid to improving the current all-cause and CVD-specific mortality statistics. The general public may also use readily available PCR-based calculators online to better understand their current health status with respect to risk for a first ASCVD event based on the calculated PCR score, and subsequent associated risk for all-cause and CVD-specific mortality. This would be useful in initiating informed and client-centered discussions with their healthcare providers.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future research would be useful in evaluating the efficacy of the available ACC/AHA PCR-based ASCVD risk calculators in promoting patient self-monitoring of lifestyle behaviors.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Predictive Validity of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Pooled Cohort Equations in Predicting All-Cause and Cardiovascular Disease–Specific Mortality in a National Prospective Cohort Study of Adults in the United States
Loprinzi, Paul D. et al.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.03.019
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Last Updated on May 18, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD