A Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals 9 Understanding Estimated PREVENT-Age The PREVENT online calculator provides an estimated PREVENT-Age, a “risk age” or “heart age” that translates a patient’s predicted cardiovascular risk into an equivalent age based on the PREVENT-CVD equations. Patient Explainer: Interpreting PREVENT-Age When the PREVENT-Age is greater than the patient’s actual age, it suggests a higher-than-expected predicted CVD risk relative to peers of the same age. When the PREVENT-Age is less than the patient’s actual age, it suggests a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile relative to peers of the same age. For example, if a 45-year-old female has an estimated PREVENT-Age of 61 years, her predicted cardiovascular risk is higher than expected for her chronological age and greater than that of peers of the same age. PREVENT-Age offers a simple, motivating concept that patients can grasp instantly. It has the potential to drive behavior change because it translates complex risk into something that feels personal, relatable and real. Understanding the 30-Year PREVENT-CVD Percentile The PREVENT online calculator also provides age and sex-specific percentiles for 30-year PREVENT-CVD risk. Percentiles compare a person’s predicted long-term CVD risk with that of others of the same age and sex in a nationally representative population. As an example, a 45-year-old female with a 30-year PREVENT-CVD risk of 23.0% would place her at the 93rd percentile, indicating that her estimated long-term CVD risk is higher than about 93 out of 100 age- and sex-matched peers. The Importance of Shared Decision-Making The PREVENT equations are an opportunity to provide more precise risk stratification and personalized guidance for patients. Shared decision-making can help personalize treatment recommendations, enabling patients to become champions of their own care. As you incorporate the PREVENT equations into your practice, consider each patient individually, including riskenhancing factors that aren’t included in the equations but that may be clinically important. Here are additional ways to use PREVENT risk estimates in shared decision-making conversations to help patients understand their risk and take steps to reduce it. Use relatable analogies. If your patient is a teacher, you might say, for example: “Based on your results, your chance of developing cardiovascular disease is estimated to be 10.8% over the next 10 years. Think of it like recognizing when a student may need extra support before a small challenge becomes a bigger problem. In the same way, starting treatment now can help prevent future heart and blood vessel problems. I recommend a statin, a medication that can lower cholesterol levels and help protect your heart and circulation over time.” Shared Decision-Making Steps 1 Ask permission to begin sensitive conversations with patients. 2 Assess your patient’s health factors and expectations. 3 Advise patients on treatment options specific to their individual needs and perspectives. 4 Agree and support patients through shared goal setting and decision-making. 5 Assist patients in developing an action plan. 6 Arrange for follow-up care support. See page 10 for additional Shared Decision-Making resources.
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