qrisk score

[Frances123]

I have just had my yearly LTC/MOT at the doctors. Can anyone tell me why Afib is included in the qrisk score, even though I don’t have CVD? They were 2 separate questions. It has made a difference of 15 years as far as the qrisk score is concerned.

Thanks

Frances.

[Buffafly]

Yearly checkup 😳? Where do you live?

[Frances123 in reply to Buffafly]

Yorkshire. All with a LTC should be offered an annual health check/review. It was very thorough. Ask at your surgery. x

[Buffafly in reply to Frances123]

Aha, I missed the LTC - Long term care for anyone else who doesn’t know. I’ve just had a shock - I had the obligatory anticoagulant blood test and had a call from the health centre to arrange a phone call with someone re my cholesterol level. Last time anyone mentioned cholesterol to me it was my GP who said at the time that my level was very low and since my husband died I think my diet has been healthier so I’m disappointed.

[Karendeena in reply to Buffafly]

What's the obligatory anticoagulant test? I have annual blood tests but this is never mentioned. I am on apixaban

[Buffafly in reply to Karendeena]

If you take an anticoagulant (definitely applies to Rivaroxaban and Apixaban, don’t know about others) you should have regular blood tests to check your kidney and liver function. If you have an annual test that would cover it.

[Karendeena in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you. Yes, I do annual blood tests and these include liver and kidney.My cholesterol increased from 4.5 to 5 last year and they have prescribed statins. Unfortunately I haven't found one to suit yet. Tried Atorvastatin gave me pains in my legs, then tried Rosuvastatin which gives me indigestion and nausea. Don't know where the doctors are going next, I have an appointment on the 10th of April. Do you take statins?

[Buffafly in reply to Karendeena]

Not yet, but my total score was 5.6 so I’m guessing that’s what’s going to be pushed in the phone call. I don’t think there is a lot of room for dietary adjustments as I’ve lost weight. If they want me to take them I’ll say only if they organise a circulation test for my legs because I definitely have some sort of circulation problem and my mother developed an ulcer as a result of PAD (peripheral artery disease) and if statins help I’ll be happy to take them. I already have various pains in my legs so I’m prepared for that 🙄

[Auriculaire in reply to Karendeena]

You could just refuse them. My cholesterol is much higher than that and neither my doctor nor my cardiologist has suggested a statin and I wouldn't take one if they did. Docs in the uk seem obsessed with putting people on statins.

[Karendeena in reply to Auriculaire]

They are most definitely!!

[Drone01]

The QRISK score is designed to predict the likelihood of CardioVascular Disease developing and determine whether you should take statins and/or adopt other means of cutting your risk. The aim is to avoid strokes and heart attacks. Anyone with AFiB is at a higher risk of stroke, so that’s presumably why it will increase anyone’s QRISK score.

[Frances123 in reply to Drone01]

Thank you. Yes I knew what the Qrisk was for and about the Afib, but the way it was put to me it was for untreated Afib. I am treated so was querying it now or at least the 15 years difference. Thanks.

[bean_counter27 in reply to Frances123]

I believe stroke risk is still higher for treated AF than general population. In addition, AF is almost always a progressive condition and Qrisk is a 10 year prediction. So presumably there's risk of it worsening in 10 years and that's factored in. However risks are presumably based on herd statistics rather than your specific circumstances. So your risks might differ significantly from Qrisk results and should therefore only be a consideration in discussions with your medical professional rather than being sole determinant of action

[Vonnegut]

I have never been overweight in my life but apparently I have familial higher cholesterol. Whenever a blood test showed “high” cholesterol for me I used to take organic red yeast rice capsules until the next blood test which would find it ok. I did that as several friends had problems with statins! Now I find that I can no longer get red yeast rice so I agreed to take statins and as I’m 81, I just take 10mg daily, the lowest dose, and that seems to get acceptable readings.

I might remind my surgery about the annual checks that you mentioned. I remember having regular “well woman” checks but now I am older and have the PAF and chronic fatigue, they seem to have almost totally neglected me!

[Carew in reply to Vonnegut]

The bit of red yeast rice that has an effect is one of the statins. Just in uncertain quantity.

[Vonnegut in reply to Carew]

I know - can remember discovering that the Latin name for the red yeast rice ends in statina but it had a fair bit before that!

[WildIris]

qrisk is based on statistical evidence. I guess afib is statistically higher among people who develop CVD.

[Vonnegut in reply to WildIris]

What’s CVD please and qrisk ? I haven’t come across them (and my phone hadn’t come upon qrisk either as it wanted to change it to something else!)

[Frances123 in reply to Vonnegut]

Qrisk is a cardiovascular risk algorithm that the NHS use. CVD is Cardiovascular Disease. Hope that helps.

[Vonnegut in reply to Frances123]

Interesting but I just have the paroxysmal AF which is well controlled with Flecainide and though that might add to my fatigue and mess up my digestion a bit, I’m still here at 81, and fortunately, have my husband to care for me and family and friends (and you lot too!)