Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are still the major cause of death worldwide, but there is no balanced distribution of awareness of their risk factors between various demographic strata in different regions. In this review, evidence from metro-based studies was synthesized to analyze differential awareness of cardiovascular risk based on gender, age, education, and economic status. Evidence indicated that those with higher income and educational levels always had higher rates of awareness regarding the risk factors of CVD, and the odds ratios were 2.06 to 3.2 in some groups. By gender, there are differences where women reported being more aware, though some gaps were observed regarding the awareness of risks like diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Age was also an important risk factor, where younger and middle-aged adults were better informed than older individuals. The urban setting appears to facilitate improved exposure to health information, though dramatic differences exist in low-income and underserved communities. The present review highlighted the imperative need for focused public health interventions and culturally sensitive education initiatives to minimize awareness gaps and maximize equitable cardiovascular health outcomes.

Key words: Cardiovascular disorders, adult, risk factors, awareness, review