Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother.  2024 Apr;6(2):57-64. 10.36011/cpp.2024.6.e6.

Changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors after the end of social distancing: the 2023 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey

• Lee J
• Kim E
• Lee WY
• Rhee EJ
• Kim HC

• KMID: 2554782
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2024.6.e6

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of social distancing have been reported to negatively impact cardiovascular-related health behaviors. However, the effects of lifting social distancing restrictions on these health behaviors remain unclear. This study investigated public awareness and behavioral changes related to cardiovascular disease prevention after the end of social distancing.
Methods
Between June 5 and June 12, 2023, 2,000 adults participated in the 2023 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey in Korea. The survey comprehensively addressed sociodemographic factors, cardiometabolic disease history, cardiovascular disease concern, prevention awareness, and behavioral changes after the end of social distancing. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between behavioral changes and sociodemographic factors.
Results
Cardiovascular disease ranked as the second most feared disease (most feared, 18.0%; second most feared, 26.3%) after cancer (most feared, 42.3%; second most feared, 21.7%). Among nine cardiovascular disease prevention recommendations, stress management, being physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet were perceived as the most challenging recommendations. After the end of social distancing, there were more positive changes than negative changes in smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, physical activity, and healthcare service use, whereas stress management more frequently changed negatively (40.0%) than it changed positively (19.5%).
Conclusions
Positive changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors, except for stress management, were observed after the end of social distancing. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the impact of discontinuing social distancing practices.

Keyword

Cardiovascular diseases; Prevention and control; COVID-19; Physical distancing; Korea

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Among the five diseases surveyed, responses of (A) the most feared disease and (B) the most likely disease to develop within 10 years.

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  Fig. 2. Perceived importance of each recommendation for cardiovascular disease prevention. MI, myocardial infarction; CMD, cardiometabolic disease; BMI, body mass index.

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  Fig. 3. The most difficult recommendations to follow among nine the recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention. BMI, body mass index; CMD, cardiometabolic disease; MI, myocardial infarction.

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  Fig. 4. Changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors (A) during and (B) after the end of social distancing.

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