Cardiovascular risk assessment should be thought about routinely in all patients. Using a lipid profile alone does not give enough information for primary prevention, so must be coupled with the patient’s clinical profile. Blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, family history should be taken into consideration. The use of a CVD risk calculator such as the Framingham calculator will guide clinical decision making. The recommended frequency of lipid profile screening varies by source. For patients with no traditional CVD risk factors, the Canadian Family Physician recommends assessing men >40 and women >50 every 5 years, and sooner should any risk factor appear. According to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society screening lipids should be initiated for all men or women over the age of 40 and sooner if they have any risk factors.

Card: Male and Female Preventative Care? MC 001