Heart Disease Information Reduces Risks

On September 3, 2007, the European Society of Cardiology received the presentation of a new study sponsored by Pfizer. It was a study of 1,100 patients, and involved nine European countries.

The new Pfizer study revealed that when physicians give patients sufficient heart disease information and coronary heart disease risk evaluation, they significantly lower coronary heart disease risk. In fact, the risks to those in the study group were lowered by 11.7 percent, compared to usual methods of physician care.

In other words, heart disease information, coupled to an evaluation of one’s risks, is an important way to reduce those risks. When doctors talk, patients listen – to heart disease information.

Who’s in Control Matters

The study indicated what many have long suspected. When patients are given an opportunity to take control of their own health, many will do so. Physicians who keep heart disease information to themselves, or give patients only a small amount of the information they might give, are keeping too much control in their own hands. In this new study, all patients received the heart disease medications the physicians would normally have prescribed. The similarities stopped there, however.

* Doctors in the Pfizer study who communicated with patients first used a risk calculator to give them a risk evaluation. They then informed the patients about the results of the risk calculator, and listed for them strategies they might use to control their risks. The strategies were to be tried over a six month period. Patients in this group responded to the heart disease information by making positive changes and reducing their risks.

* Doctors in the Pfizer study who worked with the control group of patients neither provided their patients with heart disease information about their risks nor provided risk evaluation. The patients merely accepted the prescriptions, and did little or nothing to change their lifestyle choices. Their risks remained static or increased.

Many people trust physicians to do everything for them. They place themselves in the hands of a physician, and hope for the best. The study shows, however, that taking some things into your own hands may be crucial.

Strategies to Consider

If you have heart disease, ask your doctor for clear heart disease information. If you receive little, ask again. Check the internet to learn what you can, and take your findings to your physician for discussion.

Ask your physician for heart disease information concerning exercise – how much, how often, and what type. Ask about WEIGHT control and Blood Pressure. Discuss smoking and drinking habits.

Act on every bit of heart disease information you receive that applies to you. Work to turn things around in your life. You may reduce your risks and greatly increase your lifespan and quality of life.

CAUTION: This information is for educational purposes only. Please see your physician for regular check-ups, and seek help if you have any reason to suspect heart disease.