Commentary: Limitations of Current Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment Strategies in Women

Abstract

and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III recom- mend risk stratification based on the Framing- ham global risk score.12 Women are categorized based on their probability of a hard coronary heart disease (CHD) event (fatal or nonfatal my- ocardial infarction [MI]) over the next 10 years. Low risk is defined as <10% absolute risk, 10%-20% is defined as intermediate risk, and >20% is considered high risk. Among low-risk women, the emphasis is on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For intermediate and high-risk women, more intensive lifestyle and pharmacological treatment often are recommended.