Abstract
 There are three main guidelines on the absolute CVD risk approach for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia: The NVDPA Guidelines for the Management of Absolute Cardiovascular Disease Risk; The Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association Standard Treatment Manual; and the RACGP National Guide to a Preventive Health Assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.  There is considerable alignment between the existing guidelines, including the need for an absolute risk approach, conditions conferring automatic high risk, use of the Framingham risk equation as the basis of calculating absolute risk, and the need to treat people at a greater than 15% risk of a primary CVD event over the next five years.  The guidelines diverge materially in relation to four recommendations: o the age at which to commence absolute CVD risk assessment; o whether or not calculated risk scores should be adjusted upward by 5%; o how often CVD risk should be assessed; and o treatment targets for blood pressure.  Available evidence indicates that CVD events and high absolute CVD risk occurs earlier in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and that prevention of CVD should also start early. The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at high absolute CVD risk at the ages of 18-34 years broadly corresponds to the proportion at high risk among the general population aged 45-54 years.  Limited evidence suggests that the current risk scores are likely to underestimate risk in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Specific data on the extent of underestimation and alternative
Original language | English |
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Place of Publication | Canberra |
Commissioning body | Australian Government Department of Health |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |