Age-stratified comparison of heart age and predicted cardiovascular risk in 370 000 primary care patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive medications are recommended for patients at high short-term CVD risk. As most younger people with multiple raised CVD risk factors levels have low short-term risk, they could be falsely reassured to take no action. Heart age-the chronological age of a hypothetical person with the same short-term absolute CVD risk as the patient being assessed, but with an 'ideal' risk profile-is a complementary relative CVD risk metric developed to encourage these younger patients to make long-term lifestyle changes.

Patients' views on usefulness and effects of a risk communication tool for cardiovascular disease: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Failing to comprehend risk communication might contribute to poor treatment adherence. Using hypertension as a case, we investigated how a risk communication tool for patients with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease was perceived.

Methods: As part of a large project featuring a randomised controlled trial in a general practice setting in the Region of Southern Denmark, we conducted a semi-structured individual interview study.

Danish Evaluation of Your Heart Forecast (DANY): study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial on an interactive risk-communication tool aimed at improving adherence of patients with high blood pressure.

Background: To improve communication of risk messages, they must be communicated in a way that is understandable and relevant to the patient. Communicating risk of cardiovascular disease is a complex and individualised task, since the risk itself is a combination of multiple personal risk factors. Raised blood pressure is but one of these risk factors.