PREVENT: A New Tool to Prevent Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death globally, but a groundbreaking tool introduced by the American Heart Association (AHA) is offering fresh hope for preventing this pervasive condition. The new PREVENT™ calculator promises to redefine how we assess and manage cardiovascular health, enabling both patients and healthcare providers to take a more comprehensive and personalized approach to risk assessment.

Why PREVENT Matters

For decades, cardiovascular disease (CVD) prediction tools have primarily focused on traditional risk factors like age, sex, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. While useful, these tools often fell short in accounting for the nuanced realities of individuals’ lives. PREVENT seeks to bridge this gap by incorporating broader health and social determinants into the equation.

Developed using data from over six million U.S. adults, PREVENT offers estimates for 10-year and 30-year risk of a range of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and, uniquely, heart failure—a critical but often overlooked aspect of heart disease risk.

A Call to Action for High-Risk Individuals

One of the most transformative aspects of the PREVENT calculator is its ability to target individuals at increased risk for tailored interventions. This serves as a wake-up call for those who might otherwise underestimate their vulnerability. By identifying elevated risks, the tool motivates both patients and their doctors to take immediate preventative measures, ranging from lifestyle changes to advanced diagnostic testing.

For example, someone flagged as having a high 10-year risk of heart disease might be encouraged to undergo a coronary calcium score or advanced lipid testing, which could reveal early signs of disease before symptoms appear. Likewise, patients with significant long-term risks could benefit from more intensive monitoring of conditions like kidney function or blood sugar control, leading to earlier and more effective treatments.

In this way, PREVENT goes beyond prediction—it empowers action.

A More Inclusive Tool

PREVENT stands out from earlier tools by providing a comprehensive and inclusive approach to cardiovascular risk. Key features include:

• Exclusion of Race: Recognizing that race is a social, not biological, determinant of health, PREVENT focuses instead on modifiable and measurable factors.
• Sex-Specific Algorithms: Tailored equations account for the biological differences in cardiovascular risk between men and women.
• Incorporation of Kidney and Metabolic Health: By including measures like eGFR and HbA1C, the tool captures a fuller picture of overall health.
• Acknowledgment of Social Determinants: Factors like socioeconomic status and education, often overlooked, are accounted for, offering a more nuanced understanding of risk.

Prevention in Practice

For healthcare providers, PREVENT is a game-changer. It equips clinicians with a detailed risk profile, allowing them to design personalized prevention strategies. These strategies might include prescribing cholesterol-lowering medications, recommending intensive lifestyle changes, or scheduling diagnostic tests such as stress echocardiograms or CT angiograms.

For patients, the tool is equally powerful. By quantifying risk, it provides a clear rationale for proactive steps. Whether it’s quitting smoking, losing weight, or starting a new medication, the data can be a potent motivator to act before problems arise.

The Role of Prevention in Israeli Health

As a physician in Israel, I see immense potential for integrating PREVENT into our healthcare system. While Israel is known for its advanced medical care, we face challenges in early detection and prevention. Many patients only become aware of their cardiovascular risk after a significant event, like a heart attack.

PREVENT could change that. By using the tool in routine check-ups, particularly for those in middle age or with a family history of heart disease, we could identify risks earlier and take preventive measures. Imagine how many lives could be saved by catching silent risks before they lead to a crisis.

Motivation Through Awareness

PREVENT isn’t just a tool for doctors—it’s a tool for all of us. By translating abstract risks into concrete numbers, it provides clarity and urgency. For those of us with a family history of heart disease, or who are already managing conditions like diabetes or hypertension, this tool is a powerful reminder of why prevention matters.

Moreover, PREVENT highlights the importance of diagnostic tests in managing risk. Tests like carotid ultrasounds, stress tests, or advanced lipid panels might seem unnecessary to some, but for those flagged by the calculator, these diagnostics can be lifesaving.

Heart Health Is in Your Hands

PREVENT is more than a prediction tool—it’s a roadmap. It empowers us to take charge of our health, equips doctors with actionable insights, and serves as a call to action for preventive care. By targeting those of us at higher risk, it emphasizes the importance of early detection and motivates us to make informed, proactive choices.

As the AHA continues to refine this tool, its potential impact is clear: earlier interventions, better outcomes, and healthier lives for millions around the world.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a physician, a patient, or simply someone who wants to take charge of your health, the PREVENT calculator is a reminder that prevention isn’t just possible—it’s essential. By embracing this tool and acting on its insights, we can build a future where heart disease is less a crisis and more a manageable challenge.

For more details about the PREVENT calculator, visit the AHA’s official page.