Methodological studies related to cardiovascular risk assessment.

Based on Framingham risk estimating equations by computer simulation graphical tools were gained allowing reasonable decision threshold adjustments in cardiovascular screening procedures. Results quantitatively characterize the percentage of the population selected for detailed evaluation vs. the decision threshold in a hypothetical screening procedure. In the second part of the study, the effect of blood pressure (BP) measurement uncertainties on coronary heart disease incidence estimates was characterized. According to our results the use of daily BP averages instead of instantaneous measurements has a significant impact on the risk estimation reliability.