Distorted reflection symbolizing the disconnect between perceived and actual heart attack risk.

Are You Underestimating Your Heart Attack Risk? What Brazilian Men Can Teach Us

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Despite health campaigns, many men overestimate their cardiovascular health. Learn how to bridge the gap between perception and reality."

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment. This persistent threat underscores the urgent need for effective prevention strategies. A critical component of these strategies is understanding how people perceive their own risk of developing CVD, particularly heart attacks.

Often, there's a significant gap between perceived risk and actual risk, calculated using tools like the Framingham Risk Score. This score considers factors like age, sex, smoking history, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure to estimate the 10-year probability of developing CVD. However, studies show that personal perception often doesn't align with these calculated risks, potentially hindering preventive action.

A recent study conducted in Boa Vista, Brazil, sheds light on this critical disconnect. The research, published in "Vascular Health and Risk Management," investigated the relationship between perceived lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease and calculated risk in a population of Masonic men. The findings reveal a concerning trend: many men underestimate their risk, even when traditional risk factors suggest otherwise.

The Brazilian Study: A Closer Look at Perceived vs. Actual Risk

Distorted reflection symbolizing the disconnect between perceived and actual heart attack risk.

The Brazilian study involved 101 Masonic men over the age of 40. Participants completed a health survey assessing their stress levels, overall health status, and perceived risk of experiencing a heart attack. Researchers also collected demographic and biological data to calculate each participant's Framingham Risk Score.

Here are some key points from the study's methodology:

Participants: Masonic men aged 40+ in Boa Vista, Brazil.
Data Collection: Health surveys, demographic information, physical examinations, and blood samples.
Risk Assessment: Framingham Risk Score calculated based on collected data.
Perceived Risk Assessment: Participants self-reported their perceived stress levels, overall health status, and likelihood of experiencing a heart attack.

The study's findings revealed a significant disconnect between perceived and actual risk. While over half of the participants had a moderate to high risk of cardiovascular disease according to their Framingham Risk Score, less than a third perceived themselves to be at high risk. This highlights a potential blind spot in how individuals assess their own cardiovascular health.

Bridging the Gap: What Can You Do?

The Brazilian study underscores the importance of aligning perceived risk with actual risk. By understanding your individual risk factors and having open conversations with healthcare providers, you can take proactive steps to protect your heart health. Don't let a false sense of security put you at risk. Take charge of your cardiovascular well-being today.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2147/vhrm.s107874, Alternate LINK

Title: Association Between Perceived Lifetime Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease And Calculated Risk In A Male Population In Brazil

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Vascular Health and Risk Management

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Mário Maciel De Lima Junior, Glaciane Rocha Da Silva, Sebastião Salazar Jansem Filho, Fabiana Granja

Published: 2016-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is cardiovascular disease, and why should I be concerned about it?

Cardiovascular disease, or CVD, is a category of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels. It's significant because it's a leading cause of death globally, indicating the urgent need for understanding personal risk factors and adopting preventative measures to reduce your chances of developing these conditions. The implications are substantial, affecting not only individual health but also public health resources and life expectancy.

What is the Framingham Risk Score, and why is it important to know my score?

The Framingham Risk Score is a tool used to estimate your 10-year probability of developing cardiovascular disease. It's important because it provides a calculated risk assessment based on factors such as age, sex, smoking history, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure, offering a more objective measure compared to personal perception. While the score uses these specific factors it is important to consider other risk factors such as family history, diet, exercise, and pre-existing conditions.

What did the study in Boa Vista, Brazil, find regarding heart attack risk?

The study in Boa Vista, Brazil, revealed that many Masonic men underestimated their risk of cardiovascular disease. This is significant because it highlights a dangerous disconnect between how people perceive their heart health and their actual risk based on factors assessed by the Framingham Risk Score. This disconnect can lead to a lack of preventive action, increasing the likelihood of heart-related issues.

What does it mean when there's a difference between perceived risk and actual risk?

The difference between perceived risk and actual risk refers to the gap between what you believe your risk of developing a condition like cardiovascular disease is, and what your actual risk is based on objective measures like the Framingham Risk Score. This is important because an inaccurate perception can lead to either complacency or unnecessary anxiety, both of which can negatively impact health behaviors and outcomes.

How can I bridge the gap between what I think my risk is and what my actual risk of heart attack might be?

To bridge the gap between perceived and actual risk, you should first understand your individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease by having open conversations with your healthcare provider. The implications of ignoring this gap are significant, as it could lead to delayed or inadequate preventive measures. Proactive engagement with healthcare professionals and tools like the Framingham Risk Score are essential for managing cardiovascular health effectively.