New assessment tool gives more accurate prediction of which women are at risk of heart disease

Researchers in the United states have developed a more accurate method of predicting if a woman is at risk of heart disease.

They say their Web-based formula, the Reynolds Risk Score offers a more accurate prediction of the risk of heart attack or stroke among women; it aims to predict the 10-year risk of heart disease.

According to lead author Dr. Paul Ridker of the Brigham and Women's Hospital, the new Reynolds Risk Score adds information on two new factors to the usual risk factors cholesterol, blood pressure and smoking.

The new factors are family history of heart attack prior to age 60 and blood level of C-reactive protein, a measure of artery inflammation.

Apparently the current methods of assessing risk were developed 40 years ago and often fail to pick up women who are at risk and doctors can underestimate a woman's risk for heart disease and stroke.

Ridker says with the new Reynolds Risk Score, many more women were found to be at substantially higher risk than anticipated while others had their level of risk reduced.

The researchers say current tests failed to spot up to 20% of women who suffered from heart disease, but did not display any of the traditional risk factors.

As many women do not recognise heart disease as being an issue for them the researchers, hope their work will lead to more at-risk women being identified and offered drugs, and lifestyle interventions to reduce their risk.

Experts have welcomed the new assessment system and say the best means of prevention is by early identification of those most at risk.

According to Ridker the new system presents an enormous opportunity for prevention because if doctors can accurately tell a women in her 30's or 40's about true lifetime risk, they have a much better chance of motivating her to stop smoking, exercise regularly, reduce her blood pressure, and where indicated, start a statin or aspirin regimen.

The research is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.