The red and pink hearts decorating our homes and stores in February remind us not only of Valentine’s Day but also of Heart Health Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death nationally. To lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, the American Heart Association recommends screenings for risk factors. In 2023, they announced their new PREVENT tool designed to calculate the risk of heart disease.
Let’s take a deep dive into the Why, Who, and What when using the PREVENT tool with our patients.
Why Should I Use the PREVENT Tool?
PREVENT stems from decades of research linking risk factors like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic disease, kidney disease, and lifestyle behaviors to cardiovascular outcomes. Grounded in evidence-based guidelines, PREVENT integrates clinical data and patient-specific factors to generate individualized risk assessments.
The PREVENT tool utilizes a user-friendly algorithm to calculate 10-year and lifetime CVD risks. By inputting patient metrics such as age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, smoking status, and comorbidities like diabetes, metabolic, and chronic kidney disease, clinicians receive an evidence-backed risk score. Research demonstrates that tools like PREVENT improve risk stratification and foster shared decision-making by engaging patients in their health goals.
Who Should I Use the Prevent Tool With?
The PREVENT tool addresses primary prevention for cardiovascular disease in adults aged 30-79. Since it addresses primary prevention, the PREVENT calculator is inappropriate for patients with atherosclerotic disease or heart failure.
What Do I Do With the Results?
The calculator estimates a 10-year and lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure. Results from the risk calculator can guide shared decision-making conversations with patients about ways to reduce their risk and prevent CVD.
When results indicate a high 10-year CVD risk (greater than or equal to 20%), clinicians can initiate conversations about immediate interventions, including statin therapy or blood pressure control. For intermediate or borderline 10-year CVD risks (7.5-19.9% and 5-7.4%, respectively), the focus may shift to lifestyle modifications emphasizing dietary improvements, increased physical activity, and smoking cessation. Regular follow-up is crucial to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans as needed.
Leveraging tools like PREVENT aligns with our commitment to comprehensive, preventative care and underscores the pivotal role of primary care providers in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. For more details on PREVENT and its application in practice, explore the AHA's scientific statement and free calculator on the AHA website.
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