Computerized interactive method and system for determining a risk of developing a disease and the consequences of developing the disease

• US 20020082906A1
• Filed: 10/09/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ronald Kirshner
• Original Assignee: Ronald Kirshner
• Inventors: Kirshner, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US09/973,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082906A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7275 Determining trends in physiological measurement data; Predicting development of a medical condition based on physiological measurements, e.g. determining a risk factor
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/30 for calculating health indices; for individual health risk assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 70/60 relating to pathologies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

An interactive computerized method and system for determining the risk of developing a disease, consequences of the disease, providing ways of modifying the risk, and tracking the progress of an individual as his or her risk factors change or remain the same. The method includes: transmitting questions to the individual pertaining to risk factors for the disease via a processor;

receiving responses to the questions from the individual via the processor;

transmitting contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor;

determining the risk of the individual developing the disease or the associated consequences of having the disease using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease;

transmitting a summary of positive risk factors and risk modification information to the individual via the processor; and

tracking changes in the responses and the positive risk factors of the individual over time.

The system includes a processor executing a program that performs the method.

Claims

1. An interactive computerized method for determining the risk of an individual developing a disease and the consequences of developing the disease, comprising the steps of:

transmitting questions to a user pertaining to risk factors for the disease via a processor;

receiving responses to the questions from the user via the processor;

transmitting substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor;

if the individual does not have the disease, determining the risk of the individual developing the disease using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease;

if the individual does have the disease, determining associated consequences of the disease using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease;

transmitting a summary of positive risk factors and risk modification information to the user via the processor;

tracking changes in the responses and the positive risk factors for the individual over time.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the disease includes coronary artery disease.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

determining the risk factors for the disease using the practice guidelines.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the processor operates in one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the step of receiving the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor, and whether the risk factor is positive for the individual.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the associated consequences include at least one of invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

15. The method according to claim 15, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacological therapy and education.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the positive risk factors include being a male, being one of a postmenopausal female and a postmenopausal female with ovaries removed, being a male over 40 years of age, being a female over 45 years of age, having a BMI that indicates the user is overweight or obese, being a smoker, having diabetes mellitus, having elevated lipid levels, having known CAD, having known peripheral vascular disease, not exercising, having hypertension, having feelings of stress and anxiety, having left ventricular hypertophy, not taking anti-oxidant vitamins, having high homocysteine levels, not getting the RDA of folate, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12, having a high lipoprotein level, having a low alcohol intake, having a positive family history of coronary disease, and not taking one aspirin per day.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the risk factor modification information includes information about how to change the positive risk factors to negative risk factors.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the step of tracking includes advising the user when there has been one of a change and no change in a risk factor.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the disease includes coronary artery disease.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

25. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the risk factors for the disease are determined using the practice guidelines.

26. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the processor operates in one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

27. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the step of transmitting the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

29. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor, and whether the risk factor is positive for the individual.

30. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

31. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the associated consequences include at least one of invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacological therapy and education.

34. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the positive risk factors include being a male, being one of a postmenopausal female and a postmenopausal female with ovaries removed, being a male over 40 years of age, being a female over 45 years of age, having a BMI that indicates the user is overweight or obese, being a smoker, having diabetes mellitus, having elevated lipid levels, having known CAD, having known peripheral vascular disease, not exercising, having hypertension, having feelings of stress and anxiety, having left ventricular hypertophy, not taking anti-oxidant vitamins, having high homocysteine levels, not getting the RDA of folate, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12, having a high lipoprotein level, having a low alcohol intake, having a positive family history of coronary disease, and not taking one aspirin per day.

35. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the risk factor modification information includes information about how to change the positive risk factors to negative risk factors.

36. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

the step of tracking includes receiving advice when there has been one of a change and no change in a risk factor.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the disease includes coronary artery disease.

39. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history.

40. The system according to claim 39, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

41. The system according to claim 39, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

42. The system according to claim 39, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

43. The system according to claim 37, wherein the program further performs the step of:

determining the risk factors for the disease using the practice guidelines.

44. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the processor operates in one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

45. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the step of receiving the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

46. The system according to claim 45, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

47. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor, and whether the risk factor is positive for the individual.

48. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

49. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the associated consequences include at least one of invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

50. The system according to claim 49, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

51. The system according to claim 49, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacological therapy and education.

52. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the positive risk factors include being a male, being one of a postmenopausal female and a postmenopausal female with ovaries removed, being a male over 40 years of age, being a female over 45 years of age, having a BMI that indicates the user is overweight or obese, being a smoker, having diabetes mellitus, having elevated lipid levels, having known CAD, having known peripheral vascular disease, not exercising, having hypertension, having feelings of stress and anxiety, having left ventricular hypertophy, not taking anti-oxidant vitamins, having high homocysteine levels, not getting the RDA of folate, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12, having a high lipoprotein level, having a low alcohol intake, having a positive family history of coronary disease, and not taking one aspirin per day.

53. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the risk factor modification information includes information about how to change the positive risk factors to negative risk factors.

54. The system according to claim 37, wherein:

the step of tracking includes advising the user when there has been one of a change and no change in a risk factor.

19. An interactive computerized method for determining the risk of an individual developing a disease and the consequences of developing the disease, comprising the steps of:

receiving questions pertaining to risk factors for the disease via a processor;

transmitting responses to the questions from a user via the processor;

receiving substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor, if the individual does not have the disease, the risk of the individual developing the disease being determined using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease, if the individual does have the disease, associated consequences of the disease being determined using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease;

receiving a summary of positive risk factors and risk modification information via the processor; and

tracking changes in the responses and the positive risk factors for the individual over time.

37. An interactive computerized system for determining the risk an individual developing a disease and the consequences of developing the disease, the system comprising:

a processor executing a program performing the steps of;

transmitting questions to a user pertaining to risk factors for the disease;

receiving responses to the questions from the user;

transmitting substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses;

if the individual does not have the disease, determining the risk of the individual developing the disease using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease;

if the individual does have the disease, determining associated consequences of the disease using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease;

transmitting a summary of positive risk factors and risk modification information to the individual via the processor;

tracking changes in the responses and the positive risk factors for the individual over time.

55. An interactive computerized system for determining the risk an individual developing a disease and the consequences of developing the disease, the system comprising:

a processor executing a program performing the steps of;

receiving questions pertaining to risk factors for the disease;

transmitting responses to the questions from the user;

receiving substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses, if the individual does not have the disease, the risk of the individual developing the disease being determined using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease, if the individual does have the disease, associated consequences of the disease being determined using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease;

receiving a summary of positive risk factors and risk modification information to the individual via the processor;

tracking changes in the responses and the positive risk factors for the individual over time.

56. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the disease includes coronary artery disease.

57. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle, and medical history.

58. The system according to claim 57, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

59. The system according to claim 57, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

60. The system according to claim 57, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

61. The system according to claim 55, wherein the program further performs the step of:

determining the risk factors for the disease using the practice guidelines.

62. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the processor operates in one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

63. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the step of transmitting the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

65. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor, and whether the risk factor is positive for the individual.

66. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

67. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the associated consequences include at least one invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

68. The system according to claim 67, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

69. The system according to claim 67, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacological therapy and education.

70. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the positive risk factors include being a male, being one of a postmenopausal female and a postmenopausal female with ovaries removed, being a male over 40 years of age, being a female over 45 years of age, having a BMI that indicates the user is overweight or obese, being a smoker, having diabetes mellitus, having elevated lipid levels, having known CAD, having known peripheral vascular disease, not exercising, having hypertension, having feelings of stress and anxiety, having left ventricular hypertophy, not taking anti-oxidant vitamins, having high homocysteine levels, not getting the RDA of folate, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12, having a high lipoprotein level, having a low alcohol intake, having a positive family history of coronary disease, and not taking one aspirin per day.

71. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the risk factor modification information includes information about how to change the positive risk factors to negative risk factors.

72. The system according to claim 55, wherein:

the step of tracking includes receiving advice when there has been one of a change and no change in a risk factor.

73. A method for providing information concerning a patient to a doctor, comprising the steps of:

interactively providing via a processor questions to a patient;

receiving via the processor responses to the questions;

storing information concerning the patient based on at least one of the responses;

receiving via the processor a request for the information concerning the patient by a doctor; and

providing the stored information to the doctor.

74. The method according to claim 73, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

75. The method according to claim 73, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

76. The method according to claim 75, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

77. The method according to claim 75, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

78. The method according to claim 75, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

79. The method according to claim 73, further comprising the steps of:

determining risk factors for a disease using at least one of at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease; and

tracking changes in the responses and the risk factors over time.

80. The method according to claim 79, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

81. The method according to claim 79, wherein:

the disease is CAD.

82. The method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of:

providing substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

83. The method according to claim 82, wherein:

the contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor and whether the at least one risk factor is positive for the patient.

84. The method according to claim 73, wherein:

the information is stored in at least one database.

85. The method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of:

using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines, determining one of a patient'"'"'s risk of developing a disease and the associated risks of having the disease.

86. A method for providing information concerning a patient to a doctor, comprising the steps of:

interactively receiving via a processor questions;

transmitting via the processor responses to the questions;

storing information concerning the patient based on at least one of the responses;

transmitting a request for the information concerning the patient by a doctor; and

providing the stored information to the doctor.

87. The method according to claim 86, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

88. The method according to claim 86, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

89. The method according to claim 88, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

90. The method according to claim 88, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

91. The method according to claim 88, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

92. The method according to claim 86, wherein:

risk factors for a disease are determined using at least one of at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the disease; and

changes in the responses and risk factors are tracked over time.

93. The method according to claim 92, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

94. The method according to claim 92, wherein:

the disease is CAD.

95. The method according to claim 86, further comprising the step of:

receiving substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

97. The method according to claim 86, wherein:

the information is stored in at least one database.

98. The method according to claim 86, wherein:

one of a risk of developing a disease and the associated risks of having the disease is determined using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines.

107. The method according to claim 92, further comprising the steps of:

determining the risk factors for the particular disease using practice guidelines; and

tracking changes in the responses and the risk factors over time.

108. The method according to claim 107, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at lease one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

99. A method for providing information to a user, comprising the steps of:

interactively providing via a processor questions to a user; and

receiving via the processor responses to the questions, a summary of risk factors specific to an individual for a particular disease being determined based on at least one of the responses.

96. The method according to claim 96, wherein:

the contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor and whether the at least one risk factor is positive for the patient.

100. The method according to claim 99, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

101. The method according to claim 99, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

102. The method according to claim 101, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

103. The method according to claim 101, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

104. The method according to claim 101, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

105. The method according to claim 99, wherein:

the step of receiving the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

106. The method according to claim 105, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

109. The method according to claim 99, further comprising the step of:

providing substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

110. The method according to claim 109, wherein:

the substantially contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one of the risk factors and whether the at least one of the risk factors is positive for an individual.

111. The method according to claim 99, wherein:

the particular disease is CAD.

112. The method according to claim 99, further comprising the step of:

using at least one of responses and practice guidelines, determining one of a risk of developing a disease and associated risks of having the disease.

114. The method according to claim 113, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

115. The method according to claim 113, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

116. The method according to claim 115, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

117. The method according to claim 115, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

118. The method according to claim 115, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

119. The method according to claim 113, wherein:

the step of transmitting the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

120. The method according to claim 119, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

121. The method according to claim 113, wherein:

the risk factors for the particular disease being determined using practice guidelines.

122. The method according to claim 121, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

123. The method according to claim 113, further comprising the step of:

receiving substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

124. The method according to claim 123, wherein:

the substantially contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about at least one risk factor and whether the at least one risk factor is positive for an individual.

125. The method according to claim 113, wherein:

the particular disease is CAD.

126. The method according to claim 113, further comprising the step of:

using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines to determine one of a risk of developing a disease and the associated consequences of having the disease.

128. The method according to claim 127, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

129. The method according to claim 127, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

130. The method according to claim 129, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

131. The method according to claim 129, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

132. The method according to claim 129, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

133. The method according to claim 127, wherein:

the step of receiving the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

134. The method according to claim 133, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

135. The method according to claim 127, wherein:

the risk factors are determined using practice guidelines.

136. The method according to claim 135, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

137. The method according to claim 127, further comprising the step of:

providing substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

138. The method according to claim 137, wherein:

the substantially contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about the at least one of the risk factors and whether the at least one of the risk factors is positive for an individual.

139. The method according to claim 127, wherein:

the particular disease is CAD.

140. The method according to claim 127, further comprising the steps of:

if the individual does not have the particular disease, determining the risk of the individual developing the disease using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the particular disease; and

if the individual does have the particular disease, determining the associated consequences of the disease using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease.

141. The method according to claim 140, wherein:

the associated consequences include invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

142. The method according to claim 141, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

143. The method acceding to claim 140, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacologit intervention and education.

145. The method according to claim 144, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

146. The method according to claim 144, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

147. The method according to claim 146, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

148. The method according to claim 146, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

149. The method according to claim 146, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

150. The method according to claim 144, wherein:

the step of transmitting the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

151. The method according to claim 150, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

152. The method according to claim 144, wherein:

the risk factors are determined using practice guidelines.

153. The method according to claim 152, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

154. The method according to claim 144, further comprising the step of:

receiving substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

155. The method according to claim 154, wherein:

the substantially contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about the at least one of the risk factors and whether the at least one of the risk factors is positive for an individual.

156. The method according to claim 144, wherein:

the particular disease is CAD.

157. The method according to claim 125, wherein:

if the individual does not have the particular disease, the risk of the individual developing the disease is determined using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the particular disease; and

if the individual does have the particular disease, the associated consequences of the disease is determined using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease.

158. The method according to claim 157, wherein:

the associated consequences include invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

159. The method according to claim 158, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

160. The method according to claim 159, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at lest one of pharmacological therapy and education.

162. The method according to claim 161, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

163. The method according to claim 161, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

164. The method according to claim 163, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

165. The method according to claim 163, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

166. The method according to claim 163, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

167. The method according to claim 161, wherein:

the step of receiving the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

168. The method according to claim 167, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

169. The method according to claim 161, wherein:

the risk factors are determined using practice guidelines.

170. The method according to claim 169, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

171. The method according to claim 161, further comprising the step of:

providing substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

172. The method according to claim 171, wherein:

the substantially contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about the at least one of the risk factors and whether the at least one of the risk factors is positive for an individual.

173. The method according to claim 161, wherein:

the particular disease is CAD.

174. The method according to claim 161, further comprising the steps of:

if the individual does not have the particular disease, determining the risk of the individual developing the disease using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the particular disease; and

if the individual does have the particular disease, determining the associated consequences of the disease using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease.

175. The method according to claim 174, wherein:

the associated consequences include invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

176. The method according to claim 175, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

177. The method according to claim 175, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacological therapy and education.

178. The method according to claim 161, wherein:

the step of tracking includes advising the user when there has been one of a change and no change in a risk factor.

180. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

the processor operates in at least one of a LAN environment, WAN environment, WAN environment, the WWW and the Internet.

181. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

the questions include questions about at least one of physical characteristics, lifestyle and medical history.

182. The method according to claim 181, wherein:

the physical characteristics include age, gender, race, height and weight.

183. The method according to claim 181, wherein:

the lifestyle questions include questions about at least one of smoking habits, drinking habits, vitamin intake, and stress.

184. The method according to claim 181, wherein:

the medical history questions include questions about at least one of blood pressure, diabetes, menopause, ovary removal, hormone replacement, CAD, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, peripheral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertophy, family history, lipid profile, stress tests, and angiograms.

185. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

the step of transmitting the responses includes storing the responses in memory.

186. The method according to claim 185, wherein:

the memory includes at least one database.

187. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

the risk factors are determined using practice guidelines.

188. The method according to claim 187, wherein:

the practice guidelines include practice guidelines published by at least one of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research, and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

189. The method according to claim 179, further comprising the step of:

receiving substantially contemporaneous feedback to the responses via the processor.

190. The method according to claim 189, wherein:

the substantially contemporaneous feedback includes at least one of general information about the at least one of the risk factors and whether the at least one of the risk factors is positive for the individual.

191. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

the particular disease is CAD.

192. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

if the individual does not have the particular disease, risk of the individual developing the disease is determined using at least one of the responses and practice guidelines for the particular disease; and

if the individual does have the particular disease, associated risks of the disease using at least one of the responses and the practice guidelines for the disease.

193. The method according to claim 192, wherein:

the associated consequences include invasive intervention and noninvasive intervention.

194. The method according to claim 193, wherein:

the invasive intervention includes at least one of surgery and angioplasty.

195. The method according to claim 193, wherein:

the noninvasive intervention includes at least one of pharmacological therapy and education.

196. The method according to claim 179, wherein:

the step of tracking includes receiving advice when there has been one of a change and no change in a risk factor.

113. A method for providing information to a user, comprising the steps of:

interactively receiving questions via processor; and

transmitting via the processor responses to the questions, a summary of risk factors specific to an individual for a particular disease being determined based on at least one of the responses.

127. A method for providing information to a user, comprising the steps of:

interactively providing via a processor questions to a user;

receiving via the processor responses to the questions;

determining risk factors specific to an individual for a particular disease based on at least one of the responses;

if at least one of the risk factors is modifiable, providing information as to how to modify the at least one of the risk factors to decrease a risk of developing the particular disease.

144. A method for providing information to a user, comprising the steps of:

interactively receiving via a processor questions;

transmitting via the processor responses to the questions, risk factors specific to an individual for a particular disease being determined based on at least one of the responses; and

if at least one of the risk factors is modifiable, receiving information as to how to modify the at least one of the risk factors to decrease one of a risk of developing and a risk associated with the particular disease.

161. A method for tracking progress of risk factor modification, comprising the steps of:

interactively providing via processor questions to a user;

receiving via the processor responses to the questions;

determining risk factors specific to an individual for a particular disease based on at least one of the responses;

informing the user of ways to modify at least one of the risk factors to decrease a risk of the individual developing a particular disease when the at least one of the risk factors is modifiable; and

tracking progress over time made by the individual in modifying the at least one of the risk factors.

179. A method for tracking progress of risk factor modification, comprising the steps of:

interactively receiving via a processor questions;

transmitting via the processor responses to the questions, risk factors specific to an individual for a particular disease being determined based on at least one of the responses;

receiving ways to modify at least one of the risk factors to decrease a risk of the individual developing a particular disease when the at least one of the risk factors is modifiable; and

tracking progress over time made by the individual in modifying the at least one of the risk factors.