A new score that aims to improve neurologic and vascular health, appeals to this resident neurologist. Find out why.
Resident Physician, Department of Neurology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaServe as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Resident physician at Hospital of University of Pennsylvaniaatherosclerotic cardiovascular disease , including strokes and heart attacks.
While they incorporate variations of the known modifiable risk factors, the BCS takes a more holistic, patient-forward approach and addresses dementia and late-lifeAdding the points across several modifiable risk factors yields a score of up to 21, with higher scores linked to better neurologic outcomes. A 5-point higher BCS was associated with an approximate 50% lower risk for stroke in those under 60 years of age. This scoring system capitalizes on the gamification of health, a concept that is increasingly popular because of health apps andmedication adherence ; whether they can lead to sustained behavioral changes remains to be seen. I like the idea of improving people’s health while making it a fun challenge to get a “high” score. The BCS presents the modifiable risk factors as opportunities for change and capitalizes on this by giving people goals. For example, the score provides multiple ways to get points for a healthier diet, such as eating 4.5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day or less than 36 oz of sweetened beverages per week. The targets are specific, measurable, and realistic.Another highlight of the BCS is that it can be used by anyone, even those who have already had a stroke. The score also, allowing people to use it to reduce their chances of multiple diseases. For example, in UK adults aged 40-69 years, a 5-point higher BCS was associated with a 43% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 31% lower risk for leading cancers (specifically, a 66% lower risk for lung cancer, 21% lower risk forThe score is very new. The first validation study was published less than 2 years ago. But since then, there have been at least five other papers on the score’s utility, and the questionnaire has even been Have you or any of your patients taken the BCS? It might be a fun poster to have in your doctor’s office or waiting room, and it could serve as a focal point to discuss positive habits and opportunities for change. With these strategies, we can empower our patients to proactively reduce their risk for stroke, heart disease, and cancer, and help them live longer, healthier lives. Noor F. Shaik, MD, PhD, is a neurology resident physician at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She has published academic research and patient-facing articles on prevention and recovery after neurologic injuries such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the University of Pennsylvania Health System or the Perelman School of Medicine. Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2025 by WebMD LLC. This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
Cerebrovascular Accident CVA Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Hypertension Cardiometabolic Risk Cardiometabolic Risk Factors CV Risk Cardiovascular Risk CV Risk Factors Cardiovascular Risk Factors Cardiovascular Risk Management CV Risk Management Brain Heart Failure Heart Failure (HF)
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