Figure 1 Risk-stratifying household population aged 20 to 79 and determining current and recommended statin treatment, Canada excluding territories, 2007 to 2011 Figure 1 Risk-stratifying household population aged 20 to 79 and determining current and recommended statin treatment, Canada excluding territories, 2007 to 2011

Figure 1 illustrates the steps used to risk-stratify the population (steps 1 to 4) and calculate the number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events potentially avoided (steps 5 and 6).

First, high-risk individuals were identified based on self-reported and measured diagnosis of heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and high-risk hypertension. For respondents reporting pre-existing heart disease, stroke or acute myocardial infarction, baseline CVD risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) for recurrent coronary heart disease. For respondents who did not automatically fall into the high-risk category, baseline CVD risk was calculated using the FRS for total CVD events over 10 years, as recommended in the 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) guidelines.  Risks were calculated separately for men and women.

Once individuals were stratified by baseline CVD risk, the percentage who were currently taking statins and being treated at target was estimated (Step 5). The CCS guidelines were applied (Step 6) to estimate the numbers who would be screened and treated if the guidelines were fully implemented. Screening criteria recommended by the guidelines that were measured in the CHMS were applied to the population. According to the CCS guidelines, individuals screened were recommended for treatment based on their risk stratum.