The Heart Health Study - increasing cardiovascular risk assessment in family practice for first degree relatives of patients with premature ischaemic heart disease: a randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment in adult first degree relatives of patients with premature ischaemic heart disease (PIHD) using written and verbal advice.


METHODS



METHODS
A prospective, randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Cardiovascular wards at three South Australian hospitals. Cardiovascular risk assessments were performed in general practice.


METHODS
Patients experiencing PIHD (heart disease in men aged <55 years or women aged < 65 years) and their first degree relatives.


METHODS
Patients distributed either general information about heart disease and written advice to attend their general practitioner (GP) for CVD risk assessment or general information about heart disease only, to their first degrees relatives.


METHODS
The primary outcome was the proportion of relatives who attended their GP for CVD risk assessment within 6 months of the patients' PIHD event.


RESULTS
One hundred forty four patients were recruited who had 541 eligible relatives; 97/541 (18 %) of relatives agreed to participate. A larger number of intervention 41/55 (75 %) than control group 9/42 (21 %) [difference 53 %, 95 % CI 36 % - 71 %] relatives attended their GP for a CVD assessment, and 34 % of these had moderate to very high 5-year absolute risk for CVD.


CONCLUSIONS
This low cost intervention demonstrates that individuals who have a family history of PIHD and are at moderate or high risk of CVD can be targeted for early intervention of modifiable risk factors. Further research is required to improve the uptake of the intervention in relatives.


BACKGROUND
The trial was registered with the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN), Registration ID 12613000557730 .
Discipline of General Practice, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence to Reduce Inequality in Heart Disease, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. nigel.stocks@adelaidel.edu.au.
Nigel P
NP
Stocks
Discipline of General Practice, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence to Reduce Inequality in Heart Disease, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. jessica.broadbent@adelaide.edu.au.
Jessica L
JL
Broadbent
Data Management and Analysis Centre, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. michelle.lorimer@adelaide.edu.au.
Michelle F
MF
Lorimer
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. philip.tideman@flinders.edu.au.
Philip
P
Tideman
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. derek.chew@flinders.edu.au.
Derek P
DP
Chew
School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. gary.wittert@adelaide.edu.au.
Gary
G
Wittert
School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. philip.ryan@adelaide.edu.au.
Philip
P
Ryan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors