title: Knowledge of heart disease risk among SHIELD respondents with dyslipidemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respondents in the US Study to Help Improve Early evaluation and management of risk factors Leading to Diabetes (SHIELD) reported whether they had a diagnosis of dyslipidemia, were taking prescription dyslipidemia medication, and knew their heart disease risk (low, moderate, high, or do not know). We assessed whether respondents who reported a diagnosis of dyslipidemia with or without lipid-modifying treatment knew their heart disease risk and whether it correlated with National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on self-report of risk factors, ATP III high risk was defined as diagnosis of heart disease/heart attack, narrow/blocked arteries, stroke, or diabetes; moderate risk included >or=2 risk factors (ie, men aged >45 years, women aged >55 years, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, current smoking, and family history of CHD); and low risk included <2 risk factors. Of 7629 respondents with dyslipidemia, 35% reported not taking cholesterol medication, and 29% reported not knowing their heart disease risk. For respondents treated for dyslipidemia, 27% reported not knowing their risk, and of the 73% who reported knowing, 24% to 35% reported the same risk level as ATP III risk. For respondents with untreated dyslipidemia, 33% reported not knowing their risk, and of the 67% who reported knowing, 20% to 37% reported the same risk as ATP III risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large proportion of respondents with dyslipidemia did not know their heart disease risk. Among those who reported knowing their risk level, >60% of respondents did not classify themselves at the same ATP III-defined risk level. There is a gap in understanding and awareness of heart disease risk among respondents with dyslipidemia regardless of treatment status.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, Ore, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bullano
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grandy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior