OBJECTIVES

: The American Heart Association (AHA) developed Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) to assess cardiovascular (CV) health based on 7 CV risk factors or health behaviors. We aimed to investigate whether optimal CV health was associated with perceived motivators/barriers among Hong Kong adults.

METHODS

: A cross-sectional, community-based survey of 455 adults aged 20 to 64 was conducted in Hong Kong. Data on demographics, CV health behaviors (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet), CV risk factors (total cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose), self-perceived CV risk, motivators or barriers, and source of health information were collected using structured questionnaires. CV health was defined as inadequate, average, or optimal based on the overall LS7 score of 0-4, 5-9, or 10-14, respectively. Logistics regressions were performed to assess the predictors of optimal CV health.

RESULTS

: A total of 335 young adults (age 20-44) and 120 middle-aged adults (age 45-64) were recruited. Overall, 24.6% of participants did not achieve optimal CV health (15.8% in young adults vs 49.2% in middle-aged, p<0.001) and 27.5% underestimated their CV risk (37.7% vs 17.9%, p=0.01). Awareness of CVD prevention did not associate with optimal CV health (p=NS). Female young adults (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.1-3.6, p=0.03) with ≥3 health information sources (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.1-4.1, p=0.03), and middle-aged adults with ≥3 perceived motivators (OR 3.2, 95%CI 1.2-8.8, p=0.02) were significantly associated with optimal CV health achievement. Overall, perceived motivators included “to live longer” (77.8%)”, “family reasons” (56.8%), and “avoid taking medication” (42.5%). There were significant differences in obtaining health information from the Internet (80.9% in young adults vs. 58.3% in middle-aged, p<0.001) and print media (60.3% vs 75%, p=0.004) between age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

: One-third of participants underestimated their CV risk. Specific perceived motivators and delivery of health messages should be considered in future CV health promotion programs for target age groups.