# Bridging the Gap: Assessing Public Awareness of Psychological Factors Influencing Coronary Heart Disease Outcomes in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study explores public awareness of how psychological factors affect heart disease outcomes in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into public understanding of psychological influences on coronary heart disease in a specific regional population.

## Key findings

- Most participants recognized negative psychological factors like stress and anxiety as affecting heart disease outcomes.
- Participants aged 30-50 and over 50 showed higher awareness of psychological-heart disease links.
- No significant gender differences were found in knowledge about psychological factors and heart disease.

## Abstract

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death globally, and psychological factors are increasingly recognized as playing a significant role in its prognosis. This study aimed to assess the public's awareness of psychological factors affecting CHD prognosis in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 385 participants recruited randomly. The survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and respondents' opinions regarding the effects of negative and positive psychological factors on CHD prognosis, including differences based on age and gender.

Results: The majority of participants (96.9%) agreed that negative psychological factors, such as stress (80.5%), anxiety (76.9%), and depression (67.5%), influence CHD prognosis. Positive factors like satisfaction (79.2%) and happiness (75.6%) were also recognized as influential. Participants aged 30-50 and over 50 demonstrated higher awareness of the link between psychological factors and CHD compared to those under 30. No significant gender differences were observed in knowledge levels.

Conclusion: This study suggests that the Makkah population has a good understanding of the impact of psychological factors on CHD prognosis. Integrating this knowledge into comprehensive health education programs could benefit CHD prevention, management, and prognosis in the region. Future research should explore broader populations and utilize diverse methodologies to refine and generalize these findings.