UNDERSTANDING THE DETERMINANTS OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS AND STROKE AWARENESS AMONG PATIENTS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background Heart disease and stroke are ravaging Pakistan, resulting in approximately 400,000 deaths each year. Immediate attention and action are crucial to combat this growing health crisis. By focusing on prevention, awareness, and healthy lifestyles, Pakistan can work towards reducing the alarming rate of cardiovascular-related fatalities and improving overall public health. Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of heart disease and stroke among cardiac patients to assess the efficacy of current education efforts. Methodology The study involved two hundred fifty-one cardiac inpatients and outpatients. An unaided questionnaire assessed respondents’ knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms of heart attack and stroke and actions in the event of cardiovascular emergency. Demographic data and relevant medical history were also obtained. Study place and duration The study was conducted at Jinnah postgraduate medical centre between January 2024 to December 2024. Results: The study found that cardiac patients exhibited a relatively good understanding of heart attack warning symptoms and demonstrated adequate knowledge of appropriate actions to take during cardiovascular emergencies. However, despite this awareness, they showed a significant knowledge gap regarding the most critical risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, their understanding of stroke symptoms was alarmingly poor. Notably, patients' socioeconomic status and personal history of heart attack or stroke were positively correlated with better knowledge, suggesting that these factors play a significant role in shaping patients' awareness and understanding of cardiovascular health. This highlights the need for targeted education and awareness initiatives, particularly for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and without a personal history of cardiovascular events, to improve their knowledge and ultimately enhance cardiovascular health outcomes. Conclusions The study concluded that future patient education initiatives should focus on raising awareness about key cardiovascular risk factors, recognizing cardiovascular warning symptoms (especially stroke symptoms), and knowing appropriate actions during emergencies. Targeted interventions emphasizing primary and secondary prevention should prioritize low-income cardiac patients to enhance knowledge, promote timely medical interventions and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.