Perception, knowledge, and preventive behaviors on cardiovascular disease in Argentine women

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a major health problem for women in the world. Despite 30% of women dying from cardiovascular causes, in the country, data on the perception of this problem in the female population is scarce. Objective: To identify the perception of women in Argentina on knowledge of CVD and preventive behaviors, level of awareness of their own risk, and risk factors unique to women. Method: In March 2020, a web survey was conducted on a sample of women from 5 Argentine cities. Results: The results obtained from 1500 women surveyed showed that cancer was perceived as the main health problem, while violent death was identified as the leading cause of death. Only 11% identified cardiovascular disease as their main health problem and 16% as their leading cause of death. The proportion of women who have knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors was 96%, symptoms of the disease 75%, and preventive behaviors 98%. However, specially the younger ones underestimate this disease, feeling more threatened by violent death-homicide and cancer. The results also show that the main source of information was social networks and the internet, not medical advice. Conclusions: In this sample of women in Argentina, they do not perceive cardiovascular disease as their main cause of disease and death. The work to increase their perception of the risk could result in a decrease in the morbidity and mortality that this disease entails, thus improving their quality and life expectancy.