title: Cardiovascular disease knowledge, medication adherence, and barriers to preventive action in a minority population.
abstract: Lack of knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular disease may contribute to disproportionately higher risk in minorities. The authors studied minorities in Harlem, New York (N=214), to evaluate knowledge and preventive behaviors. More than half of the participants did not know optimal blood pressure (BP) (52%) and cholesterol (60%) goals. Lack of health insurance (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.5) and less than a high school education (odds ratio, 2.0;95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.87) were associated with not knowing optimal BP. Among those with BP >/=140/90 mm Hg, 34% were unaware that they had high BP, and age younger than 55 years was predictive of lack of awareness that they had high BP (odds ratio, 8.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-28.1). Predictors of medication nonadherence included age younger than 45 years vs age 45 years or older (P=.004) and no health insurance vs health insurance (P=.01). Younger, less educated, uninsured patients should be targeted for educational interventions regarding cardiovascular disease prevention goals, personal risk, and the importance of medication adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Cardiology, New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mochari
authors.forename: Anjanette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.forename: Santhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adigopula
authors.forename: Glendon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors