Millions of people suffer from heart problems, but what if you could predict it?
When you were younger, would you have taken a test that predicted your risk of heart disease?
Your answer is probably a resounding “yes”.
Who wouldn’t want a glimpse into their risk of heart disease so they could prevent problems?
Such a test is exactly what Dr. Mark DeBoer at the UVA’s Children’s Hospital created.
By studying adolescents, DeBoer and his team formulates a test that can predict the risk of future heart disease in adolescents.
For more information, read the original story here.
How Does It Work?
As we discuss a lot on our blog, many factors determine an individual’s heart health, or lack thereof.
Some factors can determine whether you will have heart problems or not such as diet and activity levels.
Other factors include BMI (body mass index), blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and blood glucose levels.
Finally, cholesterol levels and even genetics can determine whether you will have heart problems or not.
DeBoer and his colleagues carefully assessed children who were 12.9 years old on average. Furthermore, they studied their BMI, systolic blood pressure, fasting triglyceride and blood glucose levels, and cholesterol levels.
Researchers evaluated the results of these children at the Cincinnati of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute between 1973 and 1976.
Then, researchers evaluated the same group for developments again at an average age of 38.4 years, and again at 49.6 years.
The method involves measuring a metabolic syndrome severity score to find possible correlations with the developments of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
DeBoer hoped that the tests would show early on the lifestyle changes would help to avoid heart complications later on.
In conclusion, research proves the effectiveness of the test and scoring system, and could be an effective preventative strategy for adolescents today.
Sources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/300617.php
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