BMJ 2002;325:56-57 ( 13 July )

Editorials

Primary prevention of coronary heart disease

Unevaluated screening inhibits informed consent

Papers p 78

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Population screening for individuals at high risk of getting coronary heart disease is an explicit objective in primary care. The national service framework for coronary heart disease recommends that general practitioners and primary healthcare teams should identify all people at significant risk of cardiovascular disease, but who have not yet developed symptoms, and offer them appropriate advice and treatment to reduce their risk.1 In contrast to the current policy of maximising participation, Marteau and Kinmonth in this issue suggest that helping individuals to become involved in making informed choices may increase their motivation to make changes.2

When the introduction of a national screening programme is being considered, a proper scientific evaluation should occur. Wilson and Jungner's criteria are a yardstick against which a screening programme can be judged (see box).3 Apart from the recognition that coronary heart disease is an important health problem little evidence exists that any of the . . . [Full text of this article]
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Relevant Article

Screening for cardiovascular risk: public health imperative or matter for individual informed choice?
Theresa M Marteau and Ann Louise Kinmonth
BMJ 2002 325: 78-80. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Rahman, M., Simmons, R. K, Harding, A.-H., Wareham, N. J, Griffin, S. J (2008). A simple risk score identifies individuals at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort study. Fam Pract 25: 191-196 [Abstract] [Full text]  
  • Brindle, P., Emberson, J., Lampe, F., Walker, M., Whincup, P., Fahey, T., Ebrahim, S. (2003). Predictive accuracy of the Framingham coronary risk score in British men: prospective cohort study. BMJ 327: 1267- [Abstract] [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

CAD Primary Prevention: it is necessary a new Weltanschauung.
Sergio Stagnaro
bmj.com, 12 Jul 2002 [Full text]
Informed choices are indeed a long way off
Diane Reeves
bmj.com, 16 Jul 2002 [Full text]
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