Risk stratification is key for the management of patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, current tools tend to underestimate risk in women.  Gauging long-term or lifetime risk may be more appropriate for women since disease onset tends to occur about 10 years later than in men. Having even a single risk factor at age 50 carries a high lifetime risk of CVD and reduces life expectancy, yet there is evidence that female patients with traditional risk factors are less likely to receive appropriate interventions (medical or lifestyle) than men. Our expert panel discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Framingham risk assessment and alternative risk scores, as well as the potential role of screening for preclinical disease.

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Purpose/Goal: The purpose of this activity is to educate clinicians on the appropriate risk stratification and treatment of women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Target Audience: This program is intended for cardiologists, primary care physicians, and other healthcare providers involved in the management of women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Education Objectives: At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify factors to consider when assessing CV risk in female patients
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Framingham Risk Score for assessing CV in women
• Propose modifications to current risk tools to optimize CV risk assessment in female patients

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Accreditation Statement: Medscape is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Medscape designates this education activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ^TM. Each participant should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of his/her participation in the activity.

The online series of two medical education programs is available on theheart.org, a wholly owned subsidary of WebMD.