Evaluation of Cardiovascular Risk, Knowledge Level, and Mental Well-Being in Individuals Visiting a Cardiology Outpatient Clinic During the Pandemic

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular disease risk status, knowledge levels, and mental well-being of individuals visiting a cardiology outpatient clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aimed to evaluate how the pandemic influenced disease management and health service access.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals aged 40–65 at Gülhane Training and Research Hospital. Cardiovascular disease risk was calculated using the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2) algorithm. Knowledge levels were assessed using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale (CARRF-KL), and mental well-being was measured by the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0.
Results: The study included 395 individuals. Among participants, 43.3% were in the low-moderate risk group, 46.1% in the high-risk group, and 10.6% in the very high-risk group. Higher risk was associated with older age, male gender, smoking, and lower educational attainment. Although knowledge levels were higher among university graduates and individuals who exercised regularly, no significant association was found between knowledge level and cardiovascular risk. Mental well-being was significantly lower in women, unmarried individuals, and those with low income. Participants with higher well-being scores had better knowledge levels.
Discussion and Conclusion: Cardiovascular disease risk is shaped by sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. The pandemic negatively affected healthcare access and mental well-being. Knowledge about risk factors is important, but alone it does not significantly reduce risk. This highlights the importance of public health strategies focused on behavioral change and mental health support.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases risk; CARRF-KL; SCORE2; WHO-5.