MADISON, Wis., Oct 5, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Processes related to heart
disease can begin in childhood but 65 percent of U.S. adults say the processes
do not begin until adulthood, a survey found.
The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association in Madison, Wis., released
findings of a national consumer survey that says 38 percent correctly surmise
people should be concerned about living a heart-healthy lifestyle beginning in
childhood and continuing throughout every life stage to prevent heart attacks.
The study, published in the journal Circulation, finds that even with the
success of past heart disease awareness and education campaigns, the trend
toward reducing cardiovascular risk is headed in a negative direction.
Ninety-two percent of Americans are still at risk -- primarily because of the
rise in obesity.
"This is a wake up call for parents and their children in particular," Laura
Hayman, a member of the PCNA board of directors, says in a statement. "We are at
a critical juncture, it is imperative for parents to lead by example with an all
encompassing hearty-healthy lifestyle, making the necessary changes both in diet
and physical exercise."
The survey of 1,000 adults, conducted by Kelton Research Sept. 14-21, has a
margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International