title: Evaluation of a cardiovascular disease risk assessment tool for the promotion of healthier lifestyles.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although percentage risk formats are commonly used to convey cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, people find it difficult to understand these representations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the impact of providing a CVD risk message in either a traditional format (% risk) or using an analogy of risk (Heart-Age) on participants' risk perceptions and intention to make lifestyle changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and thirteen men and women were randomly allocated to one of two conditions; CVD risk as a percentage or as a Heart-Age score (a cardiovascular risk adjusted age).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a graded relationship between perceived and actual CVD risk only in those participants receiving a Heart-Age message (P<0.05). Heart-Age was more emotionally impactful in younger individuals at higher actual CVD risk (P<0.01). Self-reported emotional reactions further mediated the relationship between risk perception and intention to make lifestyle changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that the Heart-Age message significantly differed from percentage CVD risk score in risk perceptions and was more emotionally impactful in those participants at higher actual CVD risk levels.
authors.affiliation: Unilever Discover, Colworth House, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK. natasha.soureti@unilever.com
authors.forename: Anastasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soureti
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hurling
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Mechelen
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cobain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D032882:Comprehension; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010465:Perception; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D006113:United Kingdom