Mon Nov 11 16:09:59 UTC 2024: ## Race-Neutral Heart Disease Risk Score Shows Promise in Predicting Risk

**Chicago, IL** – A new version of the MESA heart disease risk score, which excludes race as a factor, has shown promising results in predicting heart disease risk, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024. The study, led by Quinn White, a doctoral student at the University of Washington, Seattle, found that the race-neutral version performed equally well as the original score, which includes race as a factor.

The MESA score, developed in 2015, utilizes traditional risk factors for heart disease such as age, sex, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking history, and family history, along with coronary artery calcium levels. The original score includes race as a modifier, reflecting the statistically higher risk of heart disease in certain racial groups. However, race is not a biological factor, and its use in risk prediction can perpetuate healthcare disparities.

By removing race from the score, researchers hope to broaden its applicability and create a more equitable tool for assessing heart disease risk. This is particularly important for individuals who do not identify with the four racial and ethnic groups included in the original MESA score or who prefer not to disclose their race.

Dr. Sadiya Khan, Magerstadt Professor of Cardiovascular Epidemiology at Northwestern School of Medicine, highlights two key takeaways from this research: the importance of diverse population samples in model development and the inclusion of relevant predictors. With these elements in place, a model can effectively predict risk without relying on the social construct of race.

The American Heart Association is actively involved in the de-biasing project, which aims to investigate and develop unbiased clinical care algorithms and risk prediction tools. This research is a significant step towards creating more equitable healthcare by moving away from racially-based risk calculations.

While this preliminary study is encouraging, further research is needed to validate the findings and explore its effectiveness in a broader population. However, this research offers a promising direction in the development of more equitable and inclusive tools for assessing heart disease risk.

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