Estimation of Cardiovascular Disease Risk using Framingham Risk Score among Urban Adults: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The American Heart Association recommends predicting risk of Cardiovascular Disease Events; they rely on clinical and biochemical parameters. Framingham risk score is used to estimate 10-year cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to estimate cardiovascular disease risk using the Framingham score and its association with treadmill test.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 adults attending the Master Health Check-up Department at KMCH, Coimbatore, India. Adults were categorized into low (<10%), intermediate (10-20%), and high (>20%) risk. Treadmill test parameters, including metabolic equivalents (METS), maximum heart rate achieved, and duration, were recorded for analysis. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 32. Descriptive statistics, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed. Results: Among 120 adults, 91 (75.8%) were low, 26(21.7%) as intermediate, and 3 (2.5%) as high risk. Framingham Risk score demonstrated negative correlations with METS achieved (ρ = -0.635, p<0.001), maximum heart rate (ρ = -0.567, p<0.001), and treadmill test duration (ρ = -0.670, p<0.001). Significant differences across treadmill test parameters were observed across Framingham risk categories (p<0.001). Conclusion: Higher Framingham risk scores were associated with poorer tread mill performance. Combining cardiovascular risk assessment with treadmill exercise testing may facilitate identification of cardiovascular risk.