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One possible role of cardiovascular (CV) screening tests is to motivate people with abnormal results to make lifestyle changes. To see whether this strategy works, Swiss researchers randomized 536 heavy smokers (age range, 40–70) to receive carotid ultrasound screening or no screening. Those with carotid plaques (58% of screened patients) received photographs of the plaques along with detailed explanations. Patients in both groups received intensive smoking cessation counseling.
Smoking abstinence rates at 1 year (confirmed by measurement of exhaled carbon monoxide and serum cotinine levels) were about 20% in both groups. Moreover, 12-month changes in CV risk factors such as lipid levels and blood pressure were similar in the two groups. Wit…