Public Awareness of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Risk Factors among Adult Population Living in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a serious cardiovascular disorder affecting middle-aged individuals. It is a major cause of death among adults over the age of 35 years. In Saudi Arabia, CAD is associated with a higher mortality rate, and Saudi patients are reported to have a significantly higher prevalence of risk factors for CAD than the Western population. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the public awareness of CAD risk factors among the adult population residing in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methods: Leveraging a previously validated online questionnaire, the research design incorporates closed-ended questions to assess participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and awareness of CAD risk factors, and the prevalence of these risk factors within the population. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to unveil patterns and associations within the dataset. A p – value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study recruited 584 participants. Most participants believed that smoking, lack of exercise, consumption of fast food, intake of soft drinks, age, family history of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, stress, and high blood pressure are all linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There was a slightly higher percentage of participants believing males to be more susceptible. Awareness about CAD risk factors has a significant relation to gender (p = 0.012), age (p = 0.0001), marital status (p = 0.001), and occupation (p = 0.029). Conclusion: The study highlighted a strong foundation of knowledge and awareness among the Saudi population regarding CAD risk factors, indicating a positive starting point for preventive initiatives. However, targeted programs addressing regional variations and enhancing knowledge are recommended to improve early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease risk factors.