Risk and reality: The association between cardiovascular disease risk factor knowledge and selected risk-reducing behaviors

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among Americans. Although efforts have been made to educate the public on CVD risk factors, gaps may still exist between information dissemination and application in people's lives. To determine if CVD knowledge is related to CVD risk-reduci ng behaviors, 187 adults were surveyed using a questionnaire developed to a ssess CVD knowledge and health-related behaviors. No associations existed b etween knowledge and having cholesterol and blood pressure examinations, su ggesting that, in this population, CVD knowledge alone does not translate i nto health-related practices aimed at reducing CVD risk.