There is uncertainty whether current strategies for providing CVD risk scores  affect CVD events .
Providing CVD risk scores may slightly reduce CVD risk factor levels and may increase preventive medication prescribing in higher-risk people without evidence of harm .
BACKGROUND The current paradigm for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) emphasises absolute risk assessment to guide treatment decisions in primary prevention .
Although the derivation and validation of multivariable risk assessment tools , or CVD risk scores , have attracted considerable attention , their effect on clinical outcomes is uncertain .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of evaluating and providing CVD risk scores in adults without prevalent CVD on cardiovascular outcomes , risk factor levels , preventive medication prescribing , and health behaviours .
The PreCardio-study protocol – a randomized clinical trial of a multidisciplinary electronic cardiovascular prevention programme
Background Cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ) are the leading cause of death and the third cause of disability in Europe . Prevention programmes should include interventions aim ed at a reduction of medical risk factors ( hypertension , hypercholesterol , hyperglycemia , overweight and obesity ) as well as behavioural risk factors ( sedentary lifestyle , high fat intake and low fruit and vegetable intake , smoking ) . The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a multifaceted , multidisciplinary electronic prevention programme on cardiovascular risk factors . Methods / Design In a r and omized controlled trial , one group will receive a maximal intervention  (= intervention group ) . The intervention group will be compared to the control group receiving a minimal intervention .  An inclusion of 350 patients in total , with a follow-up of 3 years is foreseen . The inclusion criteria are age between 25–65 and insured by the Onderlinge Ziekenkas , insuring for guaranteed income in case of illness for self-employed . The maximal intervention group receives several prevention consultations by their general practitioner ( GP ) using a new type of cardiovascular risk calculator with personalised feedback on behavioural risk factors . These patients receive a follow-up with intensive support of health behaviour change via different methods , i.e. a tailored website and personal advice of a multidisciplinary team ( psychologist , physiotherapist and dietician ) . The aim of this strategy is to reduce cardiovascular risk factors according to the guidelines . The primary outcome measures will be cardiovascular risk factors . The secondary outcome measures are cardiovascular events , quality of life , costs and incremental cost effectiveness ratios . The control group receives prevention consultations using a new type of cardiovascular risk calculator and general feedback . Discussion This trial incorporates interventions by GPs and other health professionals aim ing at a reduction of medical and behavioural cardiovascular risk factors . An assessment of clinical , psychological and economical outcome measures will be performed . Trial registration IS RCT
There is uncertainty whether current strategies for providing CVD risk scores  affect CVD events .
Providing CVD risk scores may slightly reduce CVD risk factor levels and may increase preventive medication prescribing in higher-risk people without evidence of harm .
BACKGROUND The current paradigm for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) emphasises absolute risk assessment to guide treatment decisions in primary prevention .
Although the derivation and validation of multivariable risk assessment tools , or CVD risk scores , have attracted considerable attention , their effect on clinical outcomes is uncertain .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of evaluating and providing CVD risk scores in adults without prevalent CVD on cardiovascular outcomes , risk factor levels , preventive medication prescribing , and health behaviours .