Effects of the Omaha System- and HeartScore®-Based Impaired-Risk Perception Reduction Program on the Risk Perception of Individuals Aged 50-65 Years: A One-Group Pre-Test-Post-Test Study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the impact of interventions in the Omaha System and HeartScore®-based program to reduce impaired-risk perception.

Design: and setting: This study utilized a one-group pre-test-post-test design.

Subjects: The program was conducted among participants aged over 50 years from different social settings.

Intervention: The program had three parts: a briefing on HeartScore® recommendations, Omaha System interventions, and referral to a doctor.

Measures: HeartScore® determined cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight, and the International PA Questionnaire evaluated physical activity (PA) levels. Self-assessment was used to perceived CVD risk, BMI, and PA.

Analysis: We used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the pre-test and post-test scores of the Omaha System, the problem rating scale (PRS) subscales and McNemar test to measure changes in CVD risk perception, BMI, and PA level.

Results: 310 high-risk individuals out of 522 had impaired perception of their CVD risk. Only 201 responded to follow-up phone calls. Interventions based on HeartScore® and Omaha System improved CVD risk and PA perceptions (P < .001) but not BMI. The program significantly increased knowledge, status, and behavior scores (P < .001). After participating, 39% saw a cardiologist, and 57.2% saw a family physician within six months to reduce impaired risk perception. CVD risk perception increased to the actual level after the intervention, mostly in the group with low education level.

Conclusions: The program using the Omaha System and HeartScore® can help middle-aged individuals better understand their risk of cardiovascular disease.