 |
|
Contemporary Awareness and Understanding of Cholesterol as a Risk Factor
Results of an American Heart Association National Survey
Ira S. Nash, MD;
Lori Mosca, MD, MPH, PhD;
Roger S. Blumenthal, MD;
Michael H. Davidson, MD;
Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD;
Richard C. Pasternak, MD
Arch Intern Med. 2003;163:1597-1600.
Background Public awareness and understanding of risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease are essential for successful primary and secondary prevention. The American Heart Association is committed to reducing cardiovascular disease.
Methods A professional market survey company conducted a structured national telephone survey of English-speaking adults 40 years and older on behalf of the American Heart Association. Regional and sex quotas were imposed on the sample, and responses were weighted to match the 1999 census projections for region of the country, age, sex, and race.
Results Interviews were completed with 1163 adults 40 years and older. A national probability sample of 1114 was created. Of the final sample, 28.5% were 65 years or older, 56.1% were women, and 86.5% were white. Although 91.2% of respondents stated that it was "important to them personally to have a healthy cholesterol level" (77.6% extremely or very important), 51% did not know their own level. Only 40.2% were aware of national guidelines for cholesterol management, and 53.1% either did not know or overestimated the correct desirable total cholesterol level for a healthy adult. When asked what sources of information they rely on the most, 66.8% identified physicians, while only 3.7% rely primarily on the Internet.
Conclusions Public understanding of cholesterol management is suboptimal. Physicians have a unique opportunity, on the basis of public attitudes and access, to improve cholesterol education.
From The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY (Dr Nash); Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York– Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell Universities, New York (Dr Mosca); The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Md (Dr Blumenthal); Rush Heart Institute, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill (Dr Davidson); Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Dr Smith); and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston (Dr Pasternak). The authors have no relevant financial interest in this article.
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Achieving Vascular Risk Factor Targets: A Survey of a London General Practice
Levine et al.
ANGIOLOGY 2008;59:36-46.
ABSTRACT
Glucose and Cardiac Risk Factor Control in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Implications for Patients and Providers
Chyun et al.
The Diabetes Educator 2006;32:925-939.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
National Study of Women's Awareness, Preventive Action, and Barriers to Cardiovascular Health
Mosca et al.
Circulation 2006;113:525-534.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
A Community-Based Program to Encourage Patients' Attention to Their Own Diabetes Care: Pilot Development and Evaluation
Polonsky et al.
The Diabetes Educator 2005;31:691-699.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Awareness and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
Wadwa et al.
Diabetes Care 2005;28:1051-1056.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Disease Management Advice Provided to African-American and Chinese-American Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Fisher et al.
Diabetes Care 2004;27:2249-2250.
FULL TEXT
|
