JAMA: 2007-02-14, Vol. 297, No. 6, Author in the Room Audio Interview

Interview with Paul M. Ridker, MD, MPH, author of Development and Validation of Improved Algorithms for the Assessment of Global Cardiovascular Risk in Women: The Reynolds Risk Score. Summary Points: 1. Half of all heart attacks and strokes occur among those with normal cholesterol levels and 15-20% occur among those with no major risk factors at all. 2. The major breakthroughs in understanding cardiovascular disease over the past decade include insights about inflammation and genetics. Each of these can easily be ascertained with either a simple blood test (hsCRP for inflammation) or a simple question about parental history of myocardial infarction. 3. By incorporating these 2 new measures into how we think about risk, a new risk tool was derived known as the "Reynolds Risk Score." 4. This is a win-win for everyone as it allows us to better target therapies, avoid toxicity, and improve overall prevention strategies for heart disease.