Key result
Although 71% of surveyed Indian physicians considered cardiovascular risk estimation vital for treatment decision-making, only 7.7% calculated cardiovascular risk in >90% of their patients.
Why the study?
Hypertension drives mortality from stroke and CVD, and patients with low existing cardiovascular risk may carry high lifetime risk, making timely assessment necessary.
Cross-Sectional (n=398)
Yes
Despite recognizing the importance of cardiovascular risk estimation, Indian physicians demonstrate poor adherence to routine risk calculation in clinical practice.
Substantial knowledge-practice gap in CV risk calculation among Indian physicians; leaves open barriers and implementation strategies.
Background: Hypertension is the leading cause for the ever-increasing burden of mortality due to stroke and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Treatments are complicated due to comorbidities and can lead to patient noncompliance. Patients with low existing cardiovascular risk are prone to have higher lifetime cardiovascular risk, which timely assessment necessary.Methods: A digital cross-sectional survey questionnaire about knowledge, attitude and practice habits regarding cardiovascular risk assessment was administered to 400 physicians and cardiologists across India. The questionnaire assessed various topics such as practice of hypertension diagnosis and treatment based on guidelines, cardiovascular risk calculators, occurrence of comorbidities and patient awareness on cardiovascular risk prevention.Results: Out of the 400 physicians, 398 completed the survey. About 52% physicians considered presence of multiple risk factors as vital for having cardiovascular risk. American college of cardiology/American heart association (ACC/AHA) calculator was preferred by 51.6% study participants. Cardiovascular risk estimation was vital for treatment-related decision-making according to 71% participants, while only 7.7% participants calculated cardiovascular risk in >90% of their patients. Approximately 44% survey participants calculated cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients with 2 additional risk factors, while 5.6% calculated it in >70% hypertensive patients without comorbidities. About 46.6% participants reported that 30%-50% of their patients were on fixed-dose combinations of two antihypertensive medications.Conclusions: Findings from the study indicate predisposition of medical professionals towards having a risk assessment tool designed for the Indian population to timely assess and forestall long-term effects of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.
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Jadhav et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Physician practices regarding hypertension and cardiovascular risk assessment (n=398). Cardiovascular risk assessment survey was evaluated on Proportion of physicians calculating cardiovascular risk in >90% of their patients. Although 71% of surveyed Indian physicians considered cardiovascular risk estimation vital for treatment decision-making, only 7.7% calculated cardiovascular risk in >90% of their patients.
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