Research on the statistical analysis methods of heart disease: taking the Framingham Heart Study as an example

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was one of the leading causes of death in the early days. To search the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease, the U.S. Public Health Service set up a future heart study, and it was widely known as Framingham Heart Study soon afterwards. More than half a century ago, Framingham Heart Study had made a huge contribution to heart disease research, including releasing the definition of risk factors and bringing statistical data analysis methods into this research field. Although the statistical research methods have constantly been updated and been chosen more and more detailed, some problems in heart disease study remain unsolved. This review has sorted out the statistical analysis methods used in the Framingham Heart Study and put forward a guideline to give a direction for future Framingham Heart Study with the latest related statistical analysis methods.