ABSTRACT
An understanding of 'risk' is essential in identifying patients who would benefit from interventions for both primary and secondary prevention as well as those who would not and in whose case treatment is not indicated. Risk assessment, risk estimation or risk stratification are synonymous and aim to quantify the probability of a condition or clinical event occurring in an individual. Risk assessment data are derived from observing and recording cardiovascular events –angina, myocardial infarction, stroke, death –and monitoring the outcomes in large numbers of patients having a certain condition. The Framingham epidemiology study measures and records cardiovascular risk factors and events among the population living in the town of Framingham, a suburb of Boston, USA. The aims of cardiovascular prevention are to improve quality of life, reduce cardiovascular mortality, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and its complications, and the need for revascularisation. Effective prevention depends on the clinician having a good rapport with the patient.
