Awareness of cardiovascular disease risk in American Indians.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with perceived risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older American Indians.


METHODS
In 2003, a telephone survey was conducted in American Indians aged > or = 45 years who lived on or near the seven reservations in Montana. Respondents were asked about their history of CVD and selected risk factors and their perceived risk for CVD. The prevalence of CVD and risk factors among men and women aged > or = 45 years (N = 516) was high: CVD (26% and 15%), diabetes (24% and 26%), high blood pressure (48% and 46%), high cholesterol (34% and 40%), smoking (28% and 33%), and obesity (37% vs 46%). Men with a history of CVD (87% vs 46%), high blood pressure (70% vs 44%), high cholesterol (71% vs 53%), and obesity (67% vs 52%) were more likely to report being at risk for heart disease compared to men without these conditions. Women with a history of CVD (98% vs 58%), diabetes (74% vs 60%), high blood pressure (73% vs 56%), high cholesterol (72% vs 60%), and obesity (74% vs 55%) were more likely to report being at risk for heart disease compared to women without these conditions. Neither men nor women associated smoking with their own risk for heart disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of CVD risk factors was high in this population, and most people recognized the risks associated with the modifiable CVD risk factors. However, neither men nor women who smoked reported being at risk for heart disease more frequently than nonsmokers.
Montana Cardiovascular Health and Diabetes Section, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Cogswell Building, C-314, PO Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-2951, USA. coser@mt.gov
Carrie S
CS
Oser
Lynda L
LL
Blades
Carol
C
Strasheim
Steven D
SD
Helgerson
Dorothy
D
Gohdes
Todd S
TS
Harwell
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana; D012307:Risk Factors