Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
PulseExploreClubsResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeClubsExplore
September 15, 2026European Heart Journal Supplements

CAD patients show high general risk awareness but only 9% know their LDL values.

View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Why the study?

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of death, but the self-awareness of patients with CAD regarding the prognostic role of major cardiovascular risk factors remains unknown.

What is the prevalence of self-awareness regarding cardiovascular risk factors and active preventive behaviors in patients with coronary artery disease?

Population

302 consecutive hospitalized patients with CAD at one Italian centre

Design

Single-centre survey study

Key result

Self-awareness of cardiovascular risk factors in CAD patients was high (90% for hypertension, 85% for diabetes), but only 9% knew their LDL values and 33% of diabetics knew their glycemic status.

Authors

LPL PaolucciLCL ContiMVM Vacca

Discussion

Loading...

Member takes

Overview

Awareness without tracking suggests education alone is insufficient; leaves open whether targeted support improves self-management in CAD.

Key Points

  • To assess the level of self-awareness regarding the prognostic impact of major cardiovascular risk factors among hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease.
  • Conducted a single-center survey study in Italy including N=302 consecutive hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease (206 males, 96 females; median age 73 years).
  • Administered a structured questionnaire evaluating awareness and personal knowledge of major cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Hypertension risks were recognized by 90% of subjects, but only 56% consistently checked blood pressure, and monitoring was not associated with improved control.
  • Diabetes risks were known by 85%, yet only 33% of 70 diabetic participants knew their glycemic status and 50% could not report their glycated hemoglobin level.
  • Hypercholesterolemia was recognized as a major risk by 90% of patients, but only 9% knew their LDL values; smoking risks were acknowledged by 95%, with 11% active smokers.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=302)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

What is the prevalence of self-awareness regarding cardiovascular risk factors and active preventive behaviors in patients with coronary artery disease?

P
Population
302 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease hospitalized at a single Italian center (median age 73 years, 31.8% female) assessed for awareness of cardiovascular risk factors.
E
Exposure
Questionnaire assessing awareness of major cardiovascular risk factors
O
Outcome
Grade of awareness on major cardiovascular risk factors and active preventive behaviorspatient reported

Despite high self-awareness of cardiovascular risk factors among CAD patients, this knowledge does not translate into active preventive behaviors, indicating a need for targeted awareness campaigns.

Cite This Study

Paolucci et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Coronary artery disease (n=302). Self-awareness of cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated on Grade of awareness on major cardiovascular risk factors. Self-awareness of cardiovascular risk factors in CAD patients was high (90% for hypertension, 85% for diabetes), but only 9% knew their LDL values and 33% of diabetics knew their glycemic status.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa9017deed42882c1fc192dhttps://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suag058.450
View Full Paper
Ask AI
Bookmark
Share

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Social inequality in awareness of cardiovascular risk factors in patients undergoing coronary angiography2012 · 22 citations
  2. 2Cardiovascular Risk Awareness in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Related Factors2026
  3. 3Awareness of cardiovascular risk factors in ischaemic heart disease: implications during the projection of secondary prevention interventions2008 · 3 citations
  4. 4Knowledge & Attitude Regarding Cardiovascular Disease Risk & Prevention in Patient with Coronary Artery Disease2025
  5. 5Risk factor awareness and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease: are we doing enough?2006 · 25 citations