Ruth Webster|Heeley
Perceptions of risk: understanding cardiovascular disease
The George Institute for Global Health
cardiovascular disease cvd still leading cause death disability worldwide despite availability wellestablished effective preventive options accurate perception patients risk patient doctors important one components determine healthrelated behavior doctors tend use cardiovascular cv risk calculators underestimate absolute cv risk patients patients show optimistic bias considering risk consistently underestimate poor patient health literacy numeracy must considered thinking problem patients must possess reasonably high level understanding numerical processes doctors discuss risk level possessed large numbers population order overcome barrier doctors need utilize various tools including appropriate use visual aids accurately communicate risk patients intervention shown better nothing improving health understanding simple process repeatedly conveying risk information patient shown improve accuracy risk perception doctors need take responsibility accurate assessment effective communication cv risk patients order improve patient uptake cardioprotective lifestyle choices preventive medications