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Table 2 Baseline factors that might influence decision making

From: The impact of a decision aid about heart disease prevention on patients' discussions with their doctor and their plans for prevention: a pilot randomized trial

Variable

Total Group

(n = 75)

Control Group

(n = 34)

Decision Aid Group

(n = 41)

Perceived CHD Risk

Perceived CHD risk

   0–5%

33%

32%

34%

   6–10%

32%

29%

34%

   11–20%

12%

18%

12%

   > 20%

20%

21%

20%

Accurate perception of global CHD risk

22%

23%

21%

Knowledge about Effective Prevention Strategies

Identified "x" as strategy:

   

   HTN med

77%

80%

74%

   Cholesterol med

59%

56%

61%

   Smoking cessation

99%

100%

98%

   Aspirin daily

68%

62%

73%

   Diet low in saturated fat

83%

91%

76%

   Exercise regularly

97%

97%

98%

   Weight loss if overweight

92%

91%

93%

   Reduce stress

88%

88%

88%

   Drink a glass of red wine daily

39%

38%

39%

   Take estrogen (women only)

12%

12%

12%

   Take Vitamin E

17%

24%

12%

   Take Calcium

11%

18%

5%

   Monitor AM body temperature

4%

3%

5%

Accurately identified best strategies to lower CHD risk*

45%

47%

44%

Perceived Barriers to CHD Risk Reduction

Lack of knowledge

82%

85%

81%

Difficulty determining how important it is to lower my risk

65%

76%

56%

Difficulty determining the best way to lower my risk

70%

79%

63%

Concerns about other health problems

57%

65%

51%

Lack of symptoms

58%

59%

56%

Difficulty communicating my needs to my doctor

43%

50%

37%

  1. *This includes knowledge of all four interventions (e.g. hypertension med, cholesterol med, smoking cessation, aspirin) supported by the best evidence.