Assessment using a 10-year stroke risk calculator classified 52.2% of primary care patients as intermediate risk, with tobacco use (β 2.17, p<0.001) and male sex being the strongest predictors.
Observational (n=368)
Implementation of the HEARTS risk calculator in primary care identified that most individuals have an intermediate 10-year stroke risk, driven primarily by modifiable factors like tobacco use and blood pressure.
Abstract Background and aims Risk calculators may provide important insights for stroke prevention. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the 10-year stroke risk calculator in primary care settings in a resource-limited country. Methods Adults and older adults attending primary care service from September, 2021 to November, 2022 in a resource-limited country were invited to participate. They were initially evaluated for comorbidities and vascular risk factors, including estimation of 10-year cardiovascular risk using the HEARTS risk calculator. Linear regression models were used to identify the most relevant predictors of stroke risk. Data are presented as mean± SD. Results A total of 368 individuals were included (60.91±8.97 years of age, 71.2% female). Most participants were classified as having an intermediate 10-year stroke risk (52.2%), followed by low (35.1%), and high risk (12.5%). The 10-year stroke risk was mainly predicted by tobacco use (β 2.17, p0.001), male sex (β 1.36, p0.001), blood pressure (β 0.06, p0.001), physical inactivity (β 1.08, p=0.03), poor diet score (β 0.98, p=0.008), and overweight status (β 0.79, p=0.03) but not by dyslipidemia, diabetes or older age (p0.05). Conclusions In this primary care-based study, most individuals were classified as having an intermediate 10-year risk for stroke. Primary stroke prevention strategies may benefit from the implementation of risk calculations to better target major predictors of stroke within public health policies. Conflict of interest Nothing to disclose
Borelli et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Stroke risk (n=368). HEARTS risk calculator was evaluated on 10-year stroke risk classification and predictors. Assessment using a 10-year stroke risk calculator classified 52.2% of primary care patients as intermediate risk, with tobacco use (β 2.17, p<0.001) and male sex being the strongest predictors.