The Heart Attack Prevention Service. New Sheffield Table
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The New Sheffield Tables
The New Sheffield Tables are another method for estimating the risk of coronary heart disease. Their use requires the measurement of the high density lipoproteins (HDL). A random (ie not fasting) sample of blood is suitable for measuring both cholesterol and HDL (Oxford Textbook of Medicine). The results are expressed as a coronary heart disease risk over ten years.
There is evidence that aspirin and cholesterol reducing drugs can help in those with high risk. Aspirin is not without its dangers. Cholesterol reducing drugs are expensive and not always effective. These tables can help the primary care physician when in determining who can be helped by which treatment.
Coronary heart disease risk is multifactorial. It is important not to rely upon drugs to keep it in check. Smoking cessation, blood pressure control, diabetes, alcohol restraint and obesity must all be attended to.
The tables are used in primary prevention only. They are not appropriate for people with established cardio-vascular disease such as myocardial infarction and angina.
A full account of the New Sheffield Tables can be found at:-
Wallis EJ, Ramsey LE, Haq IU, Ghahramani P, Jackson PR, Rowland-Yeo K, Yeo WW.
Coronary and cardiovascular risk estimation for primary prevention: validation of a new Sheffield table in the 1995 Scottish health survey population.
BMJ 2000; 320: 671-6 (abstract) (full text)
Aspirin and primary prevention
© G.M.Clayton 1997
GMC Register Number 0147091