Elders' Knowledge About Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease, Their Perceived Risk, and Adopted Preventive Behaviors

Abstract

Coronary heart disease is the most frequent single cause of death among persons over 65 years of age and it seems to continue to be a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of the elderly population all over the world, yet the condition is largely preventable. The aims of this study to assess and determine the relations among elder’s knowledge about risk factors, perception of risk, and adopted preventive behaviors of CHD. Design: Descriptive research design. Subjects: The study subjects comprised 150 elders free of coronary heart disease selected from six elderly homes in Alexandria, Egypt, four governmental and two private. Conclusion: Elders' knowledge about CHD risk factors and their perception of risk and adopted preventive behaviors were generally low among elders. Knowledge about CHD risk factors and risk perception affected positively commitment of elders to the preventive behaviors of CHD.

Keywords: Coronary heart disease, older adults, risk factors, perception, prevention.