Perceived and actual stroke risk among men with hypertension

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2008 Apr;10(4):287-94. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2008.07797.x.

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine whether there is a significant correlation between the perceived and actual stroke risk among hypertensive patients and to identify patient characteristics associated with inaccurate estimation of stroke risk. The authors performed a cross-sectional analysis of 296 men with hypertension who were enrolled in the Veterans Study to Improve the Control of Hypertension (V-STITCH). A patient's actual stroke risk was calculated using the Framingham stroke risk (FSR); patients' perceived risk was measured according to a self-reported 10-point risk scale. The median 10-year FSR was 16%, but the median perceived risk score was 5 (range, 1 [lowest] to 10 [highest]). There was no significant correlation between patients' perceived risk of stroke and their calculated FSR (Spearman rho=-0.08; P=.16; 95% confidence interval, -0.19 to 0.03). Patients who underestimated their stroke risk were significantly less likely to be worried about their blood pressure than patients with accurate risk perception (12.4% vs 69.6%; P<.0001). The lack of correlation between hypertensive patients' perceived stroke risk and FSR supports the need for better patient education on the risks associated with hypertension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Health Education
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Perception*
  • Stroke / epidemiology*
  • Stroke / prevention & control
  • Veterans