On 1-Jan-2004, "Derek F" <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Are doctors treating us right? Derek.
http://www.nelh.nhs.uk/hth/heart_risk.asp
Great article; I archived this on our website. Thanks Derek.
Framingham data is often misunderstood and misquoted. Yet it is the Framingham data that drives
treatment protocols.
Let's say that I walk into a doctor's office and ask the good doctor "what is my risk for a heart
attack or stroke?" I have never taken any medication at all, should I?
The questionairre given to me will be this one:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/atpiii/calculator.asp?usertype=pub
His examination of my body will be practically the same as it was when the stethescope was invented:
http://www.antiquemed.com/invention.html
And if my "result" is bad, then the doctor would most likely recommend a protocol like this one:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/index.htm
or maybe this one too:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/
So I take the medication prescribed.
From the very moment I take medication, the Framingham data becomes invalid for further risk
assesment.
I may be given the questionairre again in 6 months, but the results are even more inaccurate than
the first time.
Many studies have seriously and successfully questioned the accuracy of Framingham data.
Framingham data was designed to deliver initial risk assesment, and nothing more. Yet it finds its
way into secondary prevention and tertiary prevention studies all the time, and is misused as a
guidline for "adjusting therapy along the way".
--
Patrick Blanchard, M.D. Board Certified in Family Medicine
SonoScore Winning against heart attack and stroke
http://www.sonoscore.com
