[Awareness of the Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Different Types of Hospitalized Medical Patients]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality globally.
• Understanding patient awareness of cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
• Hospitalized patients represent a critical population for assessing health knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of medical awareness regarding cardiovascular risk factors among patients admitted to cardiac and internal medicine units.
• To identify specific knowledge gaps concerning traditional cardiovascular risk factors and their target values.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 100 hospitalized patients (50 from cardiac units, 50 from internal medicine units).
• Patients were interviewed within the first two days of hospital stay.
• A questionnaire assessed socio-demographic data, clinical indicators, and knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and their target values.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in gender or age were observed between the two patient groups.
• Awareness of major cardiovascular risk factors was extremely low; nearly no patients identified elevated cholesterol or blood pressure.
• The majority of patients (68-74%) could name only 1-2 risk factors, with stress frequently misidentified as the primary cardiovascular risk factor.

Conclusions:

• Hospitalized patients in both cardiac and internal medicine units demonstrate a significant lack of awareness regarding key cardiovascular risk factors upon admission.
• These findings highlight an urgent need for improved patient education on cardiovascular health within hospital settings.