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 .
Effects of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Communication for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes on Risk Perception in a Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM ) underestimate their risk of developing severe complications , and they do not always underst and the risk communication by their caregivers . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an intervention focused on the communication of the absolute 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) in patients with T2DM . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A r and omized controlled trial was performed in T2DM patients newly referred to the Diabetes Care System ( DCS ) West-Friesl and , a managed-care system in the Netherl and s. The intervention group ( n = 131 ) received a six-step CVD risk communication .  Control subjects ( n = 130 ) received st and ard managed care . The primary outcome measure was appropriateness of risk perception ( difference between actual CVD risk calculated by the UK Prospect i ve Diabetes Study risk engine and risk perception ) . Secondary outcome measures were illness perceptions , attitude and intention to change behavior , satisfaction with the communication , and anxiety and worry about CVD risk . Patients completed question naires at baseline , at 2 weeks ( immediately after the intervention ) , and at 12 weeks . RESULTS Appropriateness of risk perception improved between the intervention and control groups at 2 weeks . This effect disappeared at 12 weeks . No effects were found on illness perceptions , attitude and intention to change behavior , or anxiety and worry about CVD risk . Patients in the intervention group were significantly more satisfied with the communication . CONCLUSIONS This risk communication method improved patients ’ risk perception at 2 weeks but not at 12 weeks . Negative effects were not found , as patients did not become anxious or worried after the CVD risk communication
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 .