Box 1.

—Health beliefs

Perceived vulnerability

“I’m not going to have a stroke anyway ... confident good span of life in front of me.” (Patient 12, final treatment aspirin.)

“People who have strokes are overweight, drink and smoke. I don’t think it will happen.” (Patient 16, final treatment aspirin.)

Perceived seriousness

“If I had a bad stroke, I’d be as good as dead.” (Patient 85, started warfarin.)

“I’d rather have a heart attack than a stroke ... I think stroke is the worst thing out.” (Patient 105, started warfarin.)