Cardiovascular disease knowledge in a sample of middle-aged and older African-American adults: Challenges for rehabilitation medicine

This study examined knowledge about risk factors and symptoms of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke in a community sample of 100 middle-aged and older African-American adults using structured interviews. The findings revealed low to moderate levels of knowledge about risks and symptoms associated with these cardiovascular diseases. Less than a third were aware that high-fat diets, smoking, physical inactivity, high alcohol use, and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Older respondents were less knowledgeable about risks for heart disease and hypertension and symptoms for hypertension than were their middle-aged counterparts. Rehabilitation professionals' role in providing aging African Americans with appropriate knowledge and skills needed for optimal cardiovascular health is discussed.