A Mixed-methods Descriptive Cross-sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for Cardiovascular Diseases among Adults of Urban Slums in Delhi, India

The present study assessed the knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), attitudes, and practices among 246 adult urban slum residents of South Delhi.A majority (88.2%) of participants recognized coronary heart disease as a type of CVD, with fewer identifying cerebrovascular disease (29.7%).Commonly known MI symptoms, such as chest pain/discomfort, were widely recognized (92.3%), followed by fainting (69.1%) and difficulty breathing (61%).For stroke symptoms, most participants recognized sudden numbness of the face, arm, and leg (90.2%), with awareness of other symptoms varying: trouble speaking (70.3%), trouble seeing (44.3%), and dizziness (65%).Many were aware of CVD risk factors, including smoking/smokeless tobacco (81.7%), alcohol consumption (81.3%), unhealthy diet (78.5%), physical inactivity (72.4%), obesity (84.1%), stress (89.8%), positive family history (56.5%), hypertension (76.8%), and diabetes mellitus (76%).Yet very few (28.5%) identified high cholesterol levels as a risk factor.The study found that while most participants were aware of coronary heart disease and common CVD risk factors, significant gaps remain in recognizing other types of CVDs, CVD symptoms, and high cholesterol as a CVD risk factor.This highlights the need for targeted community-based awareness programs and regular CVD screening in urban slums.