Post-9/11 veterans’ heart disease knowledge, self-perceived risk, and prevention beliefs and behaviors.

Abstract

Objective: Veterans, including the growing number of women veterans, have a greater risk of heart disease than nonveterans, and the incidence of heart disease is increasing among the most recent veterans who participated in post-9/11 military conflicts. Investigating heart disease-related knowledge, self-perceived risk, and prevention beliefs and behavior among these veterans, and identifying potential differences in knowledge, risk, beliefs and behavior between men and women, may guide prevention strategies. Method: Cross-sectional data from a nationwide survey of 1,141 (53% women) post-9/11 veterans were used to examine heart disease awareness and information-seeking, perceived risk and importance of heart disease risk factors, beliefs about traditional (e.g., weight, blood pressure) and nontraditional (e.g., stress, sleep) factors, and engagement in prevention behaviors. Differences between men and women were also tested, using t-tests, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Only one-third reported they felt very informed or sought information about heart disease, or that their providers had discussed heart disease with them. Although veterans generally believe that addressing traditional and nontraditional factors can reduce their risk of heart disease, far fewer endorsed the value of mental health treatment in prevention. Overall, women were slightly more knowledgeable about heart disease risk, and of behaviors that can lower this risk, but for both men and women, this knowledge did not translate to engaging in equivalent prevention behaviors. Conclusions: Post-9/11 veterans, and potentially their providers, may each benefit from improved education regarding their risk of heart disease. Veterans may also require better, more personalized approaches to prevention.

Association of Cardiovascular Disease and Military Veteran Status With Impairments in Physical and Psychological Functioning: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis of US National Survey Data

“…[51][52][53][54] Our findings are also consistent with national survey data on veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, suggesting gaps between knowledge of heart disease risk factors and engagement in preventive activities, such as stress reduction or healthy blood pressure maintenance. 55 Coupled with that body of work, our findings highlight the potential value of querying adults regarding psychological symptoms and substance use behaviors in routine health care encounters, consistent with the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force. 56,57 Similarly, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation (AHA/ACCF)'s guidance for management of high-risk conditions following an acute myocardial infarction were expanded beginning in 2011 to include a recommendation specifically focused on screening for depression.…”

“…51 -54 Our findings are also consistent with national survey data on veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, suggesting gaps between knowledge of heart disease risk factors and engagement in preventive activities, such as stress reduction or healthy blood pressure maintenance. 55…”

Gender Differences in Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Among Young Veterans

“…43 Finally, women Veterans are more likely to experience non-traditional CVD risk factors, including chronic stress, depression, and inadequate social support, which can adversely affect cardiovascular health. 44 Attention to these barriers, including a heightened focus on mental health and social determinants of health, will be crucial to improving outcomes. 45,46 Our findings should be interpreted in the context of several limitations.…”

Blood Pressure Control and Maintenance in a Prospective Cohort of Younger Veterans: Roles of Sex, Race, Ethnicity, and Social Determinants of Health

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Proactive, guideline-based BP management can mitigate the proximal impact of hypertension on cardiovascular health and later CVD risk, 6 which could be particularly beneficial for younger Veteransi.e., those discharged from military service post-9/11. 7 In recent years BP control has decreased in the U.S., 8 a decline observed across all demographic groups. 9 Over half of younger Veterans seek care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 10 yet it is unknown how well BP is controlled among this group.…”