Disparities in patients' understanding of cardiovascular disease management

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Health Literacy

Background:

• Non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD), are a leading global cause of mortality.
• Despite advancements, challenges in patient screening, disease detection, and progression monitoring lead to suboptimal outcomes.
• CVD remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, especially in developing nations, due to various barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review cardiovascular patients' understanding of their disease.
• To highlight the importance of medication compliance and lifestyle modifications.
• To underscore the impact of patient perception and knowledge on health behaviors.

Main Methods:

• This study is a narrative review.
• It focuses on patient comprehension of cardiovascular disease.
• It examines the necessity of adherence to treatment and lifestyle changes.

Main Results:

• Low patient perception and insufficient knowledge of CVD are significant factors influencing health behavior.
• Barriers such as lack of health information and low literacy contribute to poor understanding of modifiable risk factors and treatment adherence.
• Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for effective patient management.

Conclusions:

• Increased patient awareness regarding cardiovascular disease is vital.
• Enhanced understanding can improve the effectiveness of multidisciplinary cardiovascular teams.
• Ultimately, improved patient knowledge and engagement can lead to better overall cardiovascular care.