The Reynolds Risk Score is a relatively new method for calculating a woman's risk for developing heart disease. It is specifically designed for women, and some experts think it is a more accurate risk calculation method than the more "standard" risk calculators, such as the the Framingham study.
The Reynolds score was developed because in recent years it has become apparent that the more standard risk models might not apply as accurately in women as in men. For instance, standard risk calculators fail to classify up to 20% of women who have heart attacks as being at high risk. Furthermore, it is now felt that the presence of C-reactive protein (CRP) may be a stronger risk factor in women than in men. The Reynolds Risk Score gives more weight to CRP levels and family history than standard risk models.
In one study, researchers compared the effectiveness of risk models by using the huge database provided by the Women's Health Study. They found that the Reynolds Risk Score accurately classified the actual risk of many more women than did the usual predictive models. In fact, 40 - 50% of women who normally would be classified as having intermediate risk were reclassified by the Reynolds Score as either low- or high-risk - thus potentially allowing a much more targeted approach to risk factor management.
- The Reynolds Risk Score can be found here. It asks 6 simple questions, and immediately returns a 10-year risk score. It also allows you to see readily how your risk would be improved if would change one or more of these risk factors. You need to know your blood pressure readings, and several important blood test results: total cholesterol, HDL, and CRP.
Sources:
Ridker P, Buring J, Rifai N, et al. Development and validation of improved algorithms for the assessment of global cardiovascular risk in women. JAMA 2007; 297: 611-619.
