Experiences of Adults Managing Cardiovascular Health While in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular (CV)-related deaths than the general population. These deaths may result from modifiable CV health behaviors. This qualitative study investigates barriers and facilitators to engaging in the CV health-promoting behaviors of quitting tobacco, taking prescribed medications, getting healthy sleep, being more active, and eating better. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND APPROACH: In this manuscript, we share general inductive qualitative findings from interviews with 13 individuals aged 44-64, including 3 females, and 10 males, 4 participants identified as White, and 9 as Black or African American, focused on their experiences with CV diagnoses and CV health behaviors while living in a permanent supportive housing facility (PSH) in Minneapolis, MN, in 2024. KEY RESULTS: When asked about the barriers and facilitators to the five CV health-promoting behaviors, participants frequently discussed CV health-related topics in categories of alcohol and tobacco use, housing, healthcare experiences, access to food, mobility, transportation, sleep, and social support. CONCLUSIONS: Participants described significant barriers to engaging in CV health-promoting behaviors.