ACC/AHA Cardiovascular Risk Calculator May Be Flawed

The risk calculator featured in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2013 cardiovascular guidelines predicts significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease than those seen in actual cases, according to a recent study.

Note: At least 7 new studies have revealed flaws in the risk calculator since the guidelines were released.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
Eating Fruit Daily Reduces CV Risk by 40%
17% Less Alcohol Consumption = 10% Lower CV Risk
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After evaluating data included in the Women’s Health Study, investigators discovered that the rates of disease predicted by the risk calculator were significantly higher than the actual observed rate.

In order to explain the discrepancy, researchers ruled out various explanations including increased statin use, revascularization procedures in the population, and not having the complete amount of events recorded.

“Rather than investigating the concerns, several authors [of the guidelines] stated that the guidelines were never intended to be taken at face value. Rather, they were a ‘starting point’ for a conversation with the patient about treatment,” said, Steve Missen, MD, in an accompanying commentary.

The complete study is published in the October issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.

-Michelle Canales

References:

Cook NR, Ridker PM. Further insight into the cardiovascular risk calculator. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 October [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.5336.

Nissen SE. Prevention Guidelines. JAMA Intern Med. 2014 October [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.3278.