Knowledge about cardiovascular diseases in a first-level healthcare center in Lima, Peru

Motivation for the study. In Peru, the knowledge level of patients about their cardiovascular health is unknown at the first level of care, which receives 85% of the population, and where primary disease prevention activities are carried out.

Main findings. More than 70% of people had an inadequate level of knowledge about their own cardiovascular health.

Implications. Our results highlight the need to improve the education of people on cardiovascular health issues at the first level of care, taking into account that these diseases are increasingly frequent in the population.

This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about cardiovascular diseases in people in a primary healthcare center (PHCC). A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out by surveying people who attended a PHCC in Lima, Peru. A score less than 6 was considered inadequate knowledge. A total of 400 people were surveyed, 66.3% were women and the mean age was 46.8 ± 16.2 years. The average score was 4.52 +/- 1.85. We found that 71% of those surveyed had an inadequate level of knowledge, regardless of age, gender or education level. Our findings show that the level of knowledge about risk factors and cardiovascular disease was inadequate in the primary care population. It is necessary to achieve proper specific education in cardiovascular risk factors in order to reduce the impact of these diseases.