title: Perceived risk and representations of cardiovascular disease and preventive behaviour in people diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia: a cross-sectional questionnaire study.
abstract: Perceived risk and representations of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and preventive behaviour of people diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia by DNA testing (N = 81) were assessed. In general, participants perceived their own CVD risk as being relatively low. While participants reported almost optimal medication adherence (99%), only 49 per cent reported following recommendations concerning diet and physical activity. Family history of CVD was associated with both risk perception and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. In their communications with FH-screened positives, health professionals should be aware that people may underestimate CVD risk, and should stress how behaviour change can reduce the risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public and Occupational Health, EMGO Institute of Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, 1081 BT, The Netherlands. liesbeth.claassen@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Claassen
authors.forename: Lidewij
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Henneman
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kindt
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Marteau
authors.forename: Danielle R M
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Timmermans
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires