European and Inter-American Cardiology Societies Unveil SCORE2-LAC to Localize Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Cardiologists launch SCORE2-LAC to provide precise 10-year cardiovascular risk assessments using data from 40 million Latin American individuals.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 8:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

A Regional Shift in Cardiovascular Diagnostics

A significant advancement in heart health monitoring was revealed at the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2026 congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia, targeting the specific needs of Latin American and Caribbean populations. Medical authorities presented a preliminary model designed to identify individuals who would benefit most from early preventive medical intervention. According to Professor Frank Visseren from the University Medical Center Utrecht, while European models are highly effective, they must be adjusted to account for the distinct risk factor distributions found in other parts of the world. This new framework represents a concerted effort to close global gaps in cardiovascular care by moving away from a one size fits all approach to risk estimation.

Shortcomings of Euro-Centric Medical Frameworks

The current Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation 2 system, widely known as SCORE2, has served as the gold standard for predicting 10-year risks of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. However, because this model was built primarily on European data, it often fails to reflect the mortality patterns and health realities of the Caribbean and Latin America. Doctor Stella Bijkerk noted that accurately predicting outcomes like myocardial infarction and stroke requires high quality local data that European cohorts simply cannot provide. This recalibration is a mechanical necessity to ensure that patients in diverse geographic regions receive care that is proportionate to their actual physiological risks.

Massive Data Integration and Methodological Rigor

The development of SCORE2-LAC involves an immense logistical undertaking, incorporating average risk factor levels and mortality statistics from 32 different countries. Researchers have already integrated data from 2.6 million individuals and are in the process of adding another 37 million data points from Brazil. This massive dataset allows the model to analyze variables such as age, smoking status, and cholesterol levels with a degree of regional specificity never before achieved. By applying the same methodological rigor previously used for the Asia-Pacific region, the collaboration ensures that the new tool meets the highest international standards for clinical validation.