Evaluation of cardiovascular risk - Methods and their implications for clinical practice

Abstract

Introduction: The risk of suffering from atherosclerotic illness and its cardiovascular complications, which is named global cardiovascular risk, may be evaluated using several risk scale-based methods. These are taken into account along with several interactive risk factors and display some advantages and limitations which are worthy of consideration. The objective of cardiovascular risk evaluation is to identify groups of individuals which must be advised and treated with the goal of preventing cardiovascular illness, as well as to establish the level of therapeutic aggressiveness to enforce.We have included considerations on risk groups which have particular characteristics, namely women, elderly people and diabetic patients. Methodology: A survey was conducted through on-line databases, and key documental sources in the areas of Cardiology, General and Family Medicine and Internal Medicine were researched, not excluding the recommendations from various international organizations concerning the evaluation of cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: The rising significance of mortality and morbidity related with cardiovascular atherosclerotic illness turns the evaluation of global cardiovascular risk into an essential process of current clinical practice. The calculation of this risk must be regular and dynamic, and revision is compulsory whenever the pending risk factors are altered. The obtained value must be pondered by the doctor; aspects not regarded by the risk scales must be considered, resorting to clinical good judgment and adapting the decisions to the individual concerned.The current risk scales are valuable instruments, despite their limitations, thus contributing to medical decisions supported by studies and evidence based.