Awareness of Modifiable Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Primary Preventive Practices Among the General Population in Makkah City: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shumukh Altuwairgi; Thekra A. Alwafi; Hana T.  Alomayri; Feras B.  Kofiah; Refal M.  Mahrouqi; Ftoon A.  Alshaddadi; Faisal A.  Algarni; Mokhtar M.  Shatla

doi:10.54293/smhj.v6i2.199

Authors

Shumukh Altuwairgi Medical Intern, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2118-9088
Thekra A. Alwafi Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6100-2311
Hana T. Alomayri Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6595-081X
Feras B. Kofiah Medical Intern, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9927-6775
Refal M. Mahrouqi Medical Intern, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3861-7397
Ftoon A. Alshaddadi Medical Intern, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3598-859X
Faisal A. Algarni Medical Intern, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8745-8545
Mokhtar M. Shatla Associate Professor at Department of Community Medicine and pilgrims health care, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v6i2.199

Keywords:

Cardiovascular Disease , Primary Prevention , Health Knowledge , General Population , Makkah City

Abstract

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and account for about 42% of deaths in Saudi Arabia. CVDs is strongly influenced by modifiable risk factors, including smoking, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets. However, awareness of these risk factors among the Saudi population remains suboptimal.

Objectives:

This study aims to assess knowledge, awareness, prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors, and primary prevention practices among the general population in Makkah.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and May 2025 among the general population of Makkah city. Data was collected using an online validated questionnaire targeted residents >18 years via social media.

Results

The study included 623 participants, predominantly males (54.7%) aged 40–59 years (52.5%). Most participants (87.3%) demonstrated good knowledge of modifiable CVD risk factors, with high recognition of hypertension (95.7%) and hypercholesterolemia (94.1%), but lower awareness of diabetes (67.3%). While many reported healthy practices such as daily physical activity (62.1%) and adequate sleep (77.7%), over half did not regularly monitor blood glucose or blood pressure. Good knowledge was significantly associated with gender and income and correlated with healthier lifestyle behaviors.

Conclusion

Although participants showed overall good knowledge of modifiable CVD risk factors, important gaps remained, particularly regarding diabetes, inadequate sleep, and high salt intake. Most correctly identified major risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking, and unhealthy diet. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to address knowledge gaps and strengthen CVD prevention and risk reduction.

Keywords: Cardiovascular Disease , Primary Prevention , Health Knowledge , General Population , Makkah City