A COMPUTER-AIDED METHOD FOR CHD RISK COUNSELLING.
A Peeters*, N Doherty, F Minchin, C Hamilton, J J McNeil
Dept Epidemiology & Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melb., Vic.
(a) This study aims to produce an interactive program to present the absolute risk of an Australian individual of developing and dying from coronary heart disease. It aims to increase detection of individuals with a number of mildly elevated risks and to improve CHD risk communication.
(b) A computer program was produced which determines an individual's relative and absolute CHD risk based on input of the major risk factors; age, sex diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and smoking status. A risk score is calculated using a risk equation derived from the MRFIT study. From this, the individual is allocated to a percentile of cardiovascular risk, relative to other Australian's in their age and sex group and the relevant absolute lifetime risk of CHD is calculated.
(c) An individual's risk is calculated and displayed as their percentile of CHD risk, relative to other Australians in their age and gender group. The individual can observe the impact of modifications to their risk factors by entering scenarios. A chart is plotted representing an individual's lifetime risk of a major CHD event or the lifetime risk of CHD death. The risk chart displays the individual's actual risk and selected risk factor modification scenarios. This allows visualisation of the impact throughout life of potential lifestyle modifications. A pilot with 100 workplace volunteers has uncovered unknown elevated CHD risk in 67% if individuals. It has also initiated a desire for lifestyle changes in 69% of respondents.
(d) An interactive computer program has been produced to aid primary CHD risk counselling. This program was developed to allow patients a greater understanding of the impact of high levels of smoking, blood pressure and cholesterol on their future health as well as the benefits to be gained from intervention.
