What are effective strategies to communicate cardiovascular risk information to patients? A systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To compare different interventions used to communicate cardiovascular risk and assess their impact on patient related outcomes.


METHODS
A systematic search of six electronic data sources from January 1980 to November 2008. Data was extracted from the included studies and a narrative synthesis of the results was conducted.


RESULTS
Fifteen studies were included. Only four studies assessed individuals' actual cardiovascular risk; the rest were analogue studies using hypothetical risk profiles. Heterogeneity in study design and outcomes was found. The results from individual studies suggest that presenting patients with their cardiovascular risk in percentages or frequencies, using graphical representation and short timeframes, is best for achieving risk reduction through behaviour change. However, this summary is tentative and needs further exploration.


CONCLUSIONS
Better quality trials are needed that compare different risk presentation formats, before conclusions can be drawn as to the most effective ways to communicate cardiovascular risk to patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Instead of directing attention to the accuracy of cardiovascular risk prediction, more should be paid to the effective presentation of risk, to help patients reduce risk by lifestyle change or active treatment.
Waldron
Cherry-Ann
CA
Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Heath Park, UK. waldronc@cardiff.ac.uk
van der Weijden
Trudy
T
Ludt
Sabine
S
Gallacher
John
J
Elwyn
Glyn
G
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003196:Computer Graphics; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior