Evaluation of cardiovascular disease risk awareness of first-degree relatives of patients applying to the cardiology outpatient clinic

This study was conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk awareness of first-degree relatives of patients attending a cardiology outpatient clinic. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out with 106 individuals who applied to a university hospital between April and May 2025 and determined by power analysis. Data were collected using a Demographic Questionnaire and the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Awareness Assessment Scale (CDRAAS). The first eight items of the scale are knowledge questions, and the remaining 14 items are grouped into three subdimensions. The total score ranges from 14 to 56, with higher total and subdimension scores indicating increased awareness of cardiovascular diseases. For data analysis, parametric tests were used to examine differences between independent groups; the independent samples t-test was applied for comparisons between two groups, and one-way ANOVA was used for comparisons among more than two groups. The findings revealed that the participants' mean age was 34.0±11.0 years; the mean total CDRAAS score was 32.1±6.8; the mean score for the perceived heart attack/stroke risk subdimension was 15.6±4.2; for healthy eating intentions, 10.9±2.4; for perceived benefits and intentions toward change, 4.9±1.3; and for knowledge level, 6.7±1.6. The overall awareness level was determined to be moderate. Significant differences were found between marital status and the subdimensions of healthy eating intentions and perceived benefits and intentions toward change; between participants without children and with at least high school education and the healthy eating intentions subdimension; between those who exercised regularly and the healthy eating intentions subdimension; and between individuals with chronic disease and the perceived benefits and intentions toward change subdimension. A positive and significant correlation was found between age and BMI, but age and BMI were not significant predictors of CDRAAS scores. In conclusion, the overall CDRAAS scores were moderate, and risk awareness was closely associated with individual and familial health history. Accordingly, it is recommended to expand structured education and counseling programs to raise awareness and to strengthen interventions that support behavior change. Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Risk awareness; Family members; Nursing.