PURPOSE
This study examined knowledge about cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and its relationship to health behaviors among middle-aged postmenopausal women with CVD risk factors.
METHODS
The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. One hundred and thirty-six postmenopausal women were recruited from outpatient departments of four hospitals. The women were 60.69±6.5 years old. Self-reported questionnaires were administered, and waist-hip ratios (WHR) were measured.
RESULTS
Among the women, 72.8% reported hypertension, 19.1% reported diabetes, 33.8% reported hypercholesterolemia, and 24.2% reported angina pectoris. Moreover, 73.9% of the women reported not knowing of CVD prevention, and only 26.1% reported exercising regularly. A majority of the women (80.9%) had a WHR > 0.85. Multiple linear regression analysis after adjusting for age and marital status indicated that the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke increased (p<.001). Waist-hip ratio≤0.85 (p=.022) and living with family members (p=.006) were significant predictors of healthier behaviors (R²=0.21, p<.001). Knowledge of CVD and health behaviors were not correlated.
CONCLUSION
Obese women and women who live alone are no more likely to practice health behaviors aimed at CVD prevention than their counterparts in the sample. Education and exercise interventions are needed, especially for obese women, to promote healthy behaviors among middle-aged postmenopausal women with CVD risk factors.

Citations

• The Effects of Health Status and Social Support on Happiness in Middle­Aged Women
  Bok Hui Baek, So Young Choi
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2024; 38(1): 16.     CrossRef
• The Moderating Effect of Mental Health on the Relationship Between Cardiovascular Disease Awareness and Health Behaviors of Middle-Aged Korean Chinese Workers With Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Korea
  Yu Zhu Zhang, Seon Young Hwang
  Journal of Transcultural Nursing.2023; 34(2): 131.     CrossRef
• Blood Pressure Awareness and Knowledge of Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases in South Korean Women with Hypertension
  Yeo Won Jeong
  Healthcare.2021; 9(3): 360.     CrossRef
• Factors related to the Identification of Middle-Aged Women Who are Disadvantaged by Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease
  Moon Jung Kang, Jee Seon Yi, Chang Seung Park
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2018; 24(2): 185.     CrossRef