Self-perceived health versus actual cardiovascular disease risks

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiovascular Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Self-perceived poor health is linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
• Understanding the discrepancy between perceived and actual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is vital for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between self-perceived health and actual CVD risk in South Koreans.
• To identify sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors influencing self-perceived poor health.

Main Methods:

• Secondary data analysis of the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
• Sample included 4535 South Koreans aged 30-74 without diagnosed CVD.
• Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests and logistic regressions.

Main Results:

• A relationship exists between self-perceived poor health and higher actual CVD risk, but significant gaps were observed.
• Factors like dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, and family history of CVD did not significantly influence self-perceived health status.

Conclusions:

• There is a need to bridge the gap between perceived health and actual CVD risk in the South Korean population.
• Enhancing risk perception is essential for optimizing cardiovascular health.
• Healthcare providers should frequently inform individuals, especially those with favorable self-perceptions but modifiable risk factors, about their CVD risk.