Multifactorial approach to the prevention of coronary heart disease: from computer to paper and pencil?

Background In Europe the multifactorial clinical approach to the prevention of coronary heart disease is based on the Framingham equation presented in graphical form including age, sex, level of total serum cholesterol, systo lic blood pressure and smoking. Objective To propose a straightforward paper-and-pencil score (Global Coron ary Risk Score) including level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol for the Belgian or more broadly western European population derived from 10-ye ar follow-up mortality of a Belgian national population sample. Results This score has the same predictive power as the Framingham equation both for men aged 35-74 years and for women aged 50-74 years. It gives a r anking of subjects into four groups according to their relative risks. Conclusion Coronary Risk Score is user friendly and probably has pedagogica l virtues.