Awareness of Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and its associated factors among general adult population in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Malaysia. However, awareness of CVD and its risk factors remain limited, especially among older adults and underserved groups. This lack of knowledge often results in underestimating risks and delaying treatment, compounded by sociodemographic, cultural, and healthcare access factors. Aim: This study aimed to assess the level of cardiovascular disease (CVD) awareness among the general adult population in Malaysia and to explore the influence of behavioral and lifestyle factors, the role of technology, coping and relieving mechanisms, and healthcare-related determinants in shaping CVD awareness among respondents. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 454 Malaysian adults using convenience sampling. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire distributed via social media. The survey captured sociodemographic details, lifestyle practices, CVD awareness, and sources of health information. Chi-square tests were applied to examine associations between awareness and lifestyle or sociodemographic variables, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Out of 454 respondents, the majority were younger adults, with 55.1% having attained secondary education and 69.6% residing in West Malaysia. Overall, 92.7% demonstrated good awareness of CVD, while 7.3% showed poor awareness. Significant associations were found between higher awareness levels and non-smoking status (p=0.001), longer duration of physical activity (p=0.009), and balanced dietary practices (p=0.004). Technology-based platforms emerged as crucial sources of health information, with social media (38.1%) and health websites (25.3%) being the most frequently cited. Despite high awareness, gaps persisted in first-aid knowledge such as aspirin use during acute cardiac events. Conclusion: The findings highlighted considerable gaps in CVD awareness despite generally high reported knowledge levels. Targeted public health strategies, including culturally sensitive educational campaigns, community-based programs, and enhanced digital health communication, were essential to improve preventive practices, timely recognition of symptoms, and accessed to healthcare services in Malaysia.
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