Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors: a patient’s perspective

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To identify CVD risk factors present in patients presenting with stroke; to assess knowledge of patients on risk factors for CVD; and to identify management methods employed (prior to admission) by patients to deal with these risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional, incident case design. All patients admitted to the hospital, within a 6 week period, given an initial diagnosis of stroke by the attending physician, were eligible for the study. Patients were recruited using consecutive sampling. Data on patient risk awareness and management methods were gathered using a survey. Data on risk factors present in patients were collected using patient records. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were interviewed. The two major risk factors present in patients were hypertension (80.2%) and diabetes (57.8%). 83.3% of patients identified hypertension as a risk factor and 78.8% identified diabetes. However, 32.2% of hypertensive patients and 40.5% of diabetics reported not taking medication despite being awareness of their risk. Similarly 81.3% of patients knew lack of exercise was a risk factor, but only half were exercising frequently in the past 2 years. CONCLUSION: In this study, hypertension and diabetes were found to be the two major risk factors present in stroke patients. While patient knowledge about risk factors was high, their management of their risk factors as well as general knowledge about stroke prevention were lacking. This could be helpful in formulating public health strategy, if supported by larger population based studies.