Framingham risk score for prediction of cardiovascular diseases: a population-based study from southern Europe.

Background: The question about what risk function should be used in primary prevention remains unanswered. The Framingham Study proposed a new algorithm based on three key ideas: use of the four risk factors with the most weight (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking), prediction of overall cardiovascular diseases and incorporating the concept of vascular age. The objective of this study was to apply this new function in a cohort of the general non Anglo-Saxon population, with a 10-year follow-up to determine its validity.

Using ankle-brachial index to detect peripheral arterial disease: prevalence and associated risk factors in a random population sample.

Background And Aim: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is being used increasingly to diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD) that predicts cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of PAD and associated risk factors in a Spanish random population sample of age > or =40.

Methods And Results: PAD is defined as an ABI<0.

[Different uses of home blood pressure measurement in the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertension].

Objective: To find differences between measurements of clinical blood pressure and self-monitored home blood pressure measurement (HBPM).

Design: Descriptive study developed in a general population census.

Setting: Primary care.

Home-based self-measurement of blood pressure: a proposal using new reference values (the PURAS study).

Objectives: To establish reference values for blood pressure by means of self-measurement of blood pressure (BP) conducted at home.

Design: Descriptive study of the distribution of self-measured BP at home and its correspondence with clinic-based measurements of BP.

Methods: The aim of this study is to define the home BP levels that correspond to clinic BP thresholds 140/90 mmHg (hypertension) and 130/85 mmHg (normality).