Cardiovascular disease and diet: the public view.

A national probability sample of the public was asked questions dealing with perceived relationships between diet (especially sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fats) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). More than half of the respondents were aware of the suspected relationship between sodium and hypertension, and nearly half were aware that saturated fats and cholesterol may be factors in other types of CVD. Majorities expressed concern about these substances, and substantial minorities claimed to be making efforts to reduce consumption of them. The data provide a baseline against which future developments may be measured.