Public beliefs about causes and prevention of heart attacks.
Interviews with a probability sample of 617 adults in the Chicago area indicated widespread lack of information about major probable causes of heart attacks in persons younger than 60 years: 28% named cigarette smoking, 21% named high blood pressure, and 13% named cholesterol or fat in the diet or blood. Half did not name any of these risk factors, and only 1% named all three. Although three fourths believed that heart attacks are preventable, few named specific behaviors that would effectively reduce risk factors other than smoking. Sustained community-wide educational programs about reducing coronary risk factors are clearly needed and can be effective.
D000328:Adult; D002641:Chicago; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011639:Public Opinion; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications
D002784:Cholesterol