Framingham Study
The Framingham Heart Study is a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular cohort study on residents of the town of Framingham, Massachusetts. It was initiated in 1948 by the National Heart Institute, now known as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), in collaboration with Boston University. The study is renowned for its contributions to the understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors.
History[edit | edit source]
The Framingham Heart Study began in 1948 with the recruitment of 5,209 men and women between the ages of 30 and 62 from the town of Framingham. These participants had not yet developed overt symptoms of cardiovascular disease or suffered a heart attack or stroke. The study was designed to identify common factors or characteristics that contribute to CVD by following its development over a long period of time in a large group of participants who had not yet developed overt symptoms of CVD or suffered a heart attack or stroke.
Methodology[edit | edit source]
The study employs a longitudinal cohort study design, which involves repeated observations of the same variables over long periods of time. Participants undergo detailed medical history, physical examinations, and laboratory tests every two years. The study has expanded over the years to include the children and grandchildren of the original cohort, allowing researchers to study genetic and familial patterns of cardiovascular disease.
Major Findings[edit | edit source]
The Framingham Heart Study has been instrumental in identifying major cardiovascular risk factors, including:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Physical inactivity
The study also introduced the concept of "risk factor" and developed the Framingham Risk Score, a tool used to estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk of an individual.
Impact[edit | edit source]
The findings from the Framingham Heart Study have had a profound impact on public health policies and clinical practices worldwide. The identification of modifiable risk factors has led to the development of preventive strategies and interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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