What does this research mean for the field?

In hypertensive patients, 71.8% had underestimated cardiovascular risk by physicians, correlated with lower control rates of blood pressure and LDL-C (all p<0.001). Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to analyze the differences between estimated and accurate cardiovascular risk assessments in hypertensive patients across Europe.

February 6, 2026European Heart Journal

Underestimated versus accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients: a sub-analysis of the SNAPSHOT study in Europe

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Underestimation of cardiovascular risk by physicians occurred in 71.8% of hypertensive patients and was associated with lower rates of blood pressure control (23.4% vs 26.8%, p<0.001).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension (n=9290). Intervention: Underestimated cardiovascular risk assessment vs. Accurate cardiovascular risk assessment. Primary outcome: Rate of blood pressure control according to ESC guidelines (p=<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to analyze the differences between estimated and accurate cardiovascular risk assessments in hypertensive patients across Europe.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Key result

Physicians underestimate CV risk in ~72% of hypertensive patients, linked to poorer BP and LDL-C control.

P<0.001
n=9,290

Why the study?

Does physician underestimation of cardiovascular risk affect blood pressure and LDL-C control in hypertensive patients?

Key Points

The aim is to analyze the differences between estimated and accurate cardiovascular risk assessments in hypertensive patients across Europe.
Cross-sectional study design
Analysis of data from the SNAPSHOT study in six European countries
Comparison of physician perceptions versus calculated cardiovascular risk using SCORE2&2-OP
71.8% of patients had underestimated cardiovascular risk; 26.7% had accurate assessments
Underestimated risk patients were often women, less obese, and had fewer comorbidities
Patients perceived by physicians as having controlled blood pressure had a higher underestimation rate
Control rates for blood pressure and LDL-C were lower in underestimated risk patients compared with accurate assessments

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=9,290)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does physician underestimation of cardiovascular risk affect blood pressure and LDL-C control in hypertensive patients?

Population

9,290 hypertensive patients from six European countries evaluated for the accuracy of cardiovascular risk assessment by physicians compared to SCORE2&2-OP guidelines.

Exposure

Physician underestimation of cardiovascular risk

Comparator

Accurate physician assessment of cardiovascular risk (based on SCORE2&2-OP)

Outcome

Patient characteristics associated with underestimated risk and rates of blood pressure and LDL-C controlsurrogate

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 23.4% vs 26.8%

p-value: p=<0.001

Physicians frequently underestimate cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients, particularly in women and those with fewer apparent risk factors, leading to poorer actual blood pressure and LDL-C control.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Physician underestimation of CV risk was associated with poorer BP and LDL-C control; leaves open whether correcting risk perception improves outcomes in prospective trials.

Cite This Study

Gruev et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=9,290). Underestimated cardiovascular risk assessment vs. Accurate cardiovascular risk assessment was evaluated on Rate of blood pressure control according to ESC guidelines (p=<0.001). Underestimation of cardiovascular risk by physicians occurred in 71.8% of hypertensive patients and was associated with lower rates of blood pressure control (23.4% vs 26.8%, p<0.001).

synapsesocial.com/papers/698585758f7c464f23008ce5 https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.3345

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Physician underestimation of CV risk was associated with poorer BP and LDL-C control; leaves open whether correcting risk perception improves outcomes in prospective trials.