Publication:

A descriptive study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding heart smart diet among hypertensive patients from selected rural community in central part of India

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with hypertension as a major contributor. Dietary modification plays a vital role in controlling hypertension and preventing related complications. Assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding a heart-smart diet among hypertensive patients in rural areas helps identify gaps and guide effective health interventions.

Methods A descriptive, quantitative study was conducted among 114 hypertensive patients from a selected rural community in central India using purposive sampling. Data were collected from 20 January to 2 February 2025 using a structured questionnaire covering KAP toward a heart-smart diet. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, were used to analyze associations between demographic variables and KAP scores.

Results Of 114 participants, 45.6% had average knowledge and 43.0% had poor knowledge. Regarding attitude, 45.6% were neutral, and for practice, 57.9% needed improvement.

Conclusions A clear gap exists between KAP related to heart-smart diet among hypertensive patients. Although some awareness and a positive outlook were observed, poor dietary practices persist, increasing the risk of complications. Urgent, context-specific health education, counseling, and community-based interventions are essential to improve dietary adherence and reduce the burden of hypertension in rural populations.