Belgian global implementation of cardiovascular and stroke risk assessment study: Methods and baseline data of the BELGICA-STROKE STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: BELGICA-STROKE is a longitudinal study to enhance the use of online cardiovascular risk prediction scores based on the SCORE 10-year risk estimates for fatal cardiovascular disease (adapted for Belgium) and the Framingham 10-year stroke risk and to evaluate their impact on the cardiovascular risk profile of hypertensive patients. Methods and baseline characteristics are described here. Design: Prospective, multicenter study in primary care. Methods: General practitioners (N= 810) recruited consecutive hypertensive patients aged >40 years who were not at blood pressure goal and assessed them every 4 months. The estimated 10-year risks for fatal cardiovascular disease and stroke we..