Absolute Risk

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Page Content 2 *Guidelines for the assessment and management of absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk* NEW: The first Australian Guidelines for the management of absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk are now available. The guidelines incorporate and build on the previous National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance (NVDPA) Guidelines for the assessment of absolute cardiovascular disease risk (2009) and consolidate a number of other evidence-based guidelines related to primary prevention of CVD. Absolute risk is the numerical probability of a cardiovascular event occurring within a five-year period. It reflects a person's overall risk of CVD, as opposed to the traditional method that considers various risk factors, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, in isolation. The guidelines make recommendations for assessing and managing absolute CVD risk in adults aged over 45 years (35 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples) who are without known CVD. Special sections providing advice on preventing CVD for people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease are included where relevant. These guidelines are an important step as they provide a single preventive approach to first-ever CVD in Australia. Clinical decisions based on absolute risk can lead to improved health outcomes by identifying people most at risk and directing the right treatments to them. The guidelines were developed by NVDPA. The guidelines were released in May 2012 after approval by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Access the Australian absolute risk CVD calculator here. Guidelines and tools for assessment (2009) Guidelines for the assessment of absolute cardiovascular disease risk Absolute cardiovascular disease risk assessment - quick reference guide for health professionals Australian cardiovascular risk charts (for optimal clarity and use, please print these charts in colour) Online absolute risk calculator Absolute cardiovascular disease risk. Technical report: review of the evidence and evidence-based recommendations for practice NEW Guidelines and tools for management (2012) (Clicking this link will take you to another website) Guidelines for the management of absolute cardiovascular risk Absolute cardiovascular disease risk management - quick reference guide 10 things to know about the management guidelines 2012 Patient resources Know your heart and stroke risk (consumer booklet) (2009) Know your heart and stroke risk (consumer summary sheet) (2009) Manage your heart and stroke risk (NEW 2012) Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk Videos The NVDPA* has developed five short videos to help you use an absolute risk approach in your practice (see below). Each only a few minutes long, the videos feature leading absolute risk experts Dr Tim Leahy, Professor Rod Jackson and Professor Mark Harris. Absolute risk videos (Clicking on these links will take you to another website.) Absolute risk and what it means in practice Reducing barriers to using an absolute risk approach Engaging patients to think about absolute risk Absolute risk assessment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations Other issues in absolute risk assessment *NVDPA members: Diabetes Australia, Kidney Health Australia, the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the National Stroke Foundation. For more information contact our Health Information Service on 1300 36 27 87 or health@heartfoundation.org.au.