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Sheridan S, Viera  A,  Krantz M. The Effect of Giving Global Coronary Risk Information to Adults - A Systematic Review . Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(3):230-239

Providing people with information on their global coronary risk seems to improve the accuracy of their risk perception, but the impact on long-term clinical outcome is less clear, according to a systematic review.

The authors note that current guidelines on primary prevention for cardiovascular risk reduction include calculation of individual’s global coronary heart disease (CHD) risk based on a range of factors. The assumption is that this will improve people’s perception of their own risk and encourage the adoption of appropriate preventive measures – whether it actually does so is uncertain. This systematic review was intended to clarify the evidence. The authors carried out a comprehensive literature search for published studies conducted in community or primary care settings, in which adults without a history of cardiovascular disease were presented with their global CHD risk, and which measured an outcome of interest: these included accuracy of risk perception; intent to start preventive medication or lifestyle change; or change in predicted global CVD risk or CVD event rates.

The studies that measured changes in subjects’ personal risk perception found that providing global CHD risk information, with or without some additional education, did modestly improve risk perception. Providing global risk information with education increases intent to start therapy, especially if combined with counselling.

The authors conclude that providing adults with moderate to high CHD risk with information on their global risk does improve their personal risk perception; it probably also increases their intent to take CHD prevention measures. If provided with education and repeated over time, it may reduce global risk but the evidence for this is less clear. Provision at a single point in time had minimal effects.

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/170/3/230