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Women at risk for cardiovascular disease lack knowledge of heart attack symptoms
Laura E Flink1, Robert R Sciacca, Michael L Bier
1Center for Women's Health, Division of Cardiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York.
Insights
Women with higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, indicated by Framingham Risk Score (FRS), demonstrate lower knowledge of heart attack symptoms. Targeted health education is crucial for high-risk women to improve CVD awareness.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death, yet awareness of its symptoms and risk factors varies.
- The relationship between objective CVD risk assessment and women's knowledge of critical health information remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk levels, determined by Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and metabolic syndrome (MS), and women's knowledge of the leading cause of death and heart attack symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 823 women in primary care settings.
- Assessment of CVD risk using Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and components of metabolic syndrome (MS).
- Evaluation of participants' knowledge regarding the leading cause of death and heart attack symptoms.
Main Results:
- Higher Framingham Risk Score (FRS) was inversely associated with knowledge of heart attack symptoms (moderate OR 0.52, high OR 0.29).
- Metabolic syndrome (MS) was inversely associated with knowledge of the leading cause of death and heart attack symptoms, though not after multivariable adjustment.
- Knowledge deficits were most pronounced among racial/ethnic minorities and individuals with lower educational attainment.
Conclusions:
- Women with elevated CVD risk, particularly those with higher FRS, are less likely to recognize critical heart attack symptoms.
- Targeted health education initiatives are essential to address knowledge gaps in high-risk women, mitigating disproportionate health outcomes.
Background:
It is not known whether cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk level is related to knowledge of the leading cause of death of women or heart attack symptoms.
Hypothesis:
Women with higher CVD risk estimated by Framingham Risk Score (FRS) or metabolic syndrome (MS) have lower CVD knowledge.
Methods:
Women visiting primary care clinics completed a standardized behavioral risk questionnaire. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist size, fasting glucose, and lipid profile were assessed. Women were queried regarding CVD knowledge.
Results:
Participants (N = 823) were Hispanic women (46%), non-Hispanic white (37%), and non-Hispanic black (8%). FRS was determined in 278: low (63%), moderate (29%), and high (8%); 24% had ≥3 components of MS. The leading cause of death was answered correctly by 54%, heart attack symptoms by 67%. Knowledge was lowest among racial/ethnic minorities and those with less education (both P< 0.001). Increasing FRS was inversely associated with knowing the leading cause of death (low 72%, moderate 68%, high 45%, P = 0.045). After multivariable adjustment, moderate/high FRS was inversely associated with knowing symptoms (moderate odds ratio [OR] 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-0.98; high OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.11-0.81), but not the leading cause of death. MS was inversely associated with knowing the leading cause of death (P< 0.001) or heart attack symptoms (P = 0.018), but not after multivariable adjustment.
Conclusions:
Women with higher FRS were less likely to know heart attack symptoms. Efforts to target those at higher CVD risk must persist, or the most vulnerable may suffer disproportionately, not only because of risk factors but also inadequate knowledge.
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