Has the risk for coronary heart disease changed among U.S. adults?

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the 10-year risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD) among U.S adults during the years 1988 to 1994 with that among U.S. adults during the years 1999 to 2002.

Background: A decline in deaths as the result of CHD has been reported. Data about changes in actual risk of developing CHD among U.S. adults are sparse.

Methods: Data for noninstitutionalized U.S. residents ages 20 to 79 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)-III (1988 to 1994) or NHANES 1999 to 2002 were examined to compute 10-year risk of developing CHD using modified Framingham risk score, as adopted by the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III.

Results: Most participants in both surveys had a low (<10%) 10-year risk of developing CHD. The proportion of participants at intermediate (10% to 20%) and high (>20%) 10-year risk of developing CHD also was similar.

Conclusions: Data from national surveys conducted approximately a decade apart showed no appreciable difference in the distribution of 10-year risk of developing CHD. Greater efforts are needed to reduce the risk of developing CHD among U.S. adults.