Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases, which include coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, stroke, and heart failure, remain the leading cause of death in the World. The present study aimed at assessing the level of knowledge towards CVD types, warning symptoms of heart attack or stroke, and CVD risk factors among the general population of Saudi Arabia.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was performed using an online self-administered questionnaire on 1000 randomly participated Saudi individuals. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in data analysis.
Results
The study included 1000 participants. Respondents’ overall CVD knowledge score (Total=25) was low: total mean±SD was 12±6.4, knowledge about types of CVD, heart attack symptoms was inadequate. Respondents’ knowledge regarding CVD risk factors and stroke symptoms was good. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictors of better level of CVD knowledge were males, age 40-49 years, with low and intermediate level of education, good personal health and they never or rarely had diet attention (p<0.05).
Conclusion
A huge gap exists in CVD knowledge among the Saudi population. These findings provide useful information for implementers of interventions to educate and provide awareness regarding the prevention and control of CVDs targeting the general public of the country. Also, the study recommends the healthcare providers to incorporate health promotion and awareness campaigns in their treatment policies in order to enhance knowledge and awareness of CVDs in the kingdom.

Key words: Cardiovascular disease, knowledge, risk factor, stroke, heart attack, Saudi Arabia