Key result
Hypertension is linked to ~2.9-fold higher odds of high 10-year cardiovascular risk.
Why the study?
Although the Framingham risk score (FRS) is a validated tool for estimating 10-year CVD risk, data on its applicability in tertiary care settings in Kerala are scarce.
Cross-Sectional (n=450)
No
Over one-third (34.2%) of adults attending a tertiary care centre in Kerala, India have a high 10-year cardiovascular risk (FRS ≥20%), driven strongly by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, advancing age, and smoking.
Indicates substantial high-risk burden in tertiary care; leaves open whether FRS-guided interventions improve outcomes in this population.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is a validated tool for estimating 10-year CVD risk; however, data on its applicability in tertiary care settings in Kerala are scarce. Objective: To evaluate the 10-year cardiovascular risk profile of adults attending a tertiary care centre using the FRS and to identify factors associated with high cardiovascular risk. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 adults aged 30–75 years attending outpatient departments of a tertiary care centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from January to June 2026. The FRS was calculated using standard variables: age, sex, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive treatment status, and smoking status. Participants were categorised as low (<10%), intermediate (10-19%), or high (≥20%) risk. Results: The mean age of participants was 52.4±11.8 years (218 males, 232 females). The overall mean FRS was 17.4±9.2%. A total of 154 participants (34.2%) were categorised as high risk (FRS≥20%), 184 (40.9%) as intermediate risk, and 112 (24.9%) as low risk. Males had a significantly higher mean FRS than females (19.8% vs. 15.3%, p=0.003). Hypertension (OR 2.87; 95% CI 2.14-4.55), diabetes mellitus (OR=2.31), and current smoking (OR=1.94) were the strongest independent predictors of high cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of adults attending this tertiary care centre are at high cardiovascular risk. The FRS is an effective and feasible screening tool in this setting. Targeted interventions addressing hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco use are urgently needed to reduce the CVD burden in this population.
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K. et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease risk assessment in primary prevention (n=450). Hypertension (and cardiovascular risk evaluation using Framingham Risk Score) vs. Absence of hypertension was evaluated on High 10-year cardiovascular risk (Framingham Risk Score ≥20%) (OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.14-4.55, p=<0.001). Framingham Risk Score assessment classified 34.2% of tertiary care adults as high 10-year cardiovascular risk, with hypertension being the strongest independent predictor (adjusted OR 2.87).
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