CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE KNOWLEDGE IN A SAMPLE OF MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDERAFRICAN-AMERICAN ADULTS - CHALLENGES FOR REHABILITATION-MEDICINE

This study examined knowledge about risk factors and symptoms of coron ary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke in a community sample of 1 00 middle-aged and older African-American adults using structured inte rviews. The findings revealed low to moderate levels of knowledge abou t risks and symptoms associated with these cardiovascular diseases. Le ss than a third were aware that high-fat diets, smoking, physical inac tivity, high alcohol use, and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascu lar diseases. Older respondents were less knowledgeable about risks fo r heart disease and hypertension and symptoms for hypertension than we re their middle-aged counterparts. Rehabilitation professionals' role in providing aging African Americans with appropriate knowledge and sk ills needed for optimal cardiovascular health is discussed.