Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in older adults – Perception and reality

Abstract

ObjectiveCVD are the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Since there are no published data about the knowledge of CVD risk factors among Croatian older adults, this was the primary aim of this study. Another aim was to determine relationship between actual CVD risk (total cholesterol – TC and triglyceride levels – TG, blood pressure – BP, body mass index – BMI, smoking) and self-assessed CVD risk among older adults. MethodsWe used a cross-sectional epidemiological study in which participants (969 subjects aged >70 years) answered a written questionnaire. Participants’ BMI, BP, TC and triglycerides were measured. ResultsThe actual presence of CVD risk factors in participants did not appear to alter their perceptions of risk compared to participants without CVD risk factors (the percentage of participants who think that they have moderate/high CVD risk is almost the same: 75.5% among participants with actual CVD risk factors; 75.7% among those without CVD risk factors). Accordingly, 24.5% of participants with actual CVD risk factors failed to recognize that risk.Only 23.4% of participants correctly recognized BP target values, while 49.8% participants successfully recognized TC target levels. The knowledge of target BP and/or TC levels did not influence participants’ ability to assess their own CVD risk.Surprisingly, 41.8% of participants reported that they have not discussed CVD risk factors with their physicians. ConclusionThe results suggest insufficient awareness of CVD risk factors among Croatian older adults and a need for improved promotion of CVD prevention in this population segment.