Cardiovascular risk calculators as a preventive strategy for ischemic events in the Latin American population.

Abstract

In the middle of the 20th century, a new paradigm focused on prevention emerged and not just for the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases. This approach seeks to identify risk indicators involved in the development of these pathologies, to design preventive interventions. Currently, there are multiple risk score to calculate the risk of major cardiovascular events in a given time. In this bibliographic review, a series of frequently used scores and risk calculators will be presented, describing their different qualities, benefits, opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses. Evidence from the following tools will be reviewed: Framingham, QRISK3 (QRESEARCH cardiovascular risk algorithm), American Heart Association, World Health Organization, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation, and Gaziano. It is essential to apply these calculators routinely in the Latin American population and determine which tool may be more appropriate according to the characteristics of the population.