Perceived cardiovascular disease risk among multi-ethnic postmenopausal women residing in Korea: a Q-methodological study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the subjective perceptions of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among multi-ethnic postmenopausal women residing in Korea. Because menopause represents a significant physiological transition that heightens susceptibility to CVD, identifying how these women perceive CVD risk is essential. METHODS: Using Q-methodology, data were collected in November 2024 from 40 participants-Korean, Chinese, and Filipino postmenopausal women residing in Korea who had experienced either natural or surgically induced menopause-who sorted 35 Q-statements on a nine-point scale. The data were analyzed using the PC-QUANL program to identify perception patterns. RESULTS: Four distinct perception types emerged. Type 1, heightened awareness of CVD, included participants who recognized metabolic and emotional changes after menopause as important risk factors and showed strong vigilance toward prevention. Type 2, passive cardiovascular risk management, included participants who acknowledged some preventive behaviors, such as health checkups, but showed limited engagement in information-seeking or in recognizing menopause-specific risks. Type 3, emphasis on healthy lifestyle, included participants who prioritized dietary control and exercise but paid less attention to physiological changes associated with menopause. Type 4, information-centered self-directed, included participants who actively sought health information but were less likely to translate that knowledge into consistent preventive behaviors. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women residing in Korea exhibited diverse patterns of awareness and preventive behavior regarding CVD risk. These findings may inform the development of tailored educational and behavioral interventions that address the unique characteristics of each perception type. Furthermore, this study may provide foundational data for designing culturally sensitive CVD prevention programs for multi-ethnic postmenopausal women.