Cardiovascular disease knowledge, medication adherence, and barriers to preventive action in a minority population.

Lack of knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular disease may contribute to disproportionately higher risk in minorities. The authors studied minorities in Harlem, New York (N=214), to evaluate knowledge and preventive behaviors. More than half of the participants did not know optimal blood pressure (BP) (52%) and cholesterol (60%) goals. Lack of health insurance (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-4.5) and less than a high school education (odds ratio, 2.0;95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.87) were associated with not knowing optimal BP. Among those with BP >/=140/90 mm Hg, 34% were unaware that they had high BP, and age younger than 55 years was predictive of lack of awareness that they had high BP (odds ratio, 8.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-28.1). Predictors of medication nonadherence included age younger than 45 years vs age 45 years or older (P=.004) and no health insurance vs health insurance (P=.01). Younger, less educated, uninsured patients should be targeted for educational interventions regarding cardiovascular disease prevention goals, personal risk, and the importance of medication adherence.