Patients' awareness of the cardiovascular risk factors - results of the primary care arm of EUROASPIRE V study in Croatia.

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally and in Croatia. Effective prevention relies on patient awareness and management of modifiable risk factors, yet the extent of patient knowledge regarding their own risk factor values and guideline-recommended targets is unclear.

METHODS

This study analysed data from the Croatian primary care arm of the EUROASPIRE V survey, which included adults aged 18-79 years without established atherosclerotic disease but receiving treatment for hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes. Patients were interviewed and examined at least six months after initiation of therapy. Awareness was defined as knowing both current and target values for weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol, HbA1c, and fasting blood glucose.

RESULTS

Among 203 Croatian participants (55.2% female, mean age 62.8 ± 10.2 years), awareness of risk factor values and targets was highest for blood pressure (80%) and weight (61.1%), but substantially lower for total cholesterol (25.6%), LDL cholesterol (17.1%), and waist circumference (16.7%). Notably, 82.6% of patients treated for diabetes were unaware of their HbA1c value or target. No significant differences in risk factor control were observed between aware and unaware patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of high-risk primary care patients in Croatia lack awareness of their cardiovascular risk factor values and targets. Awareness alone appears insufficient to drive meaningful behavioral change or improve clinical outcomes. These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive, person-centered prevention strategies that go beyond risk communication to achieve effective CVD risk reduction.