Correlates of knowledge of one's blood pressure and cholesterol levels among older members of a managed care plan

We examined factors predicting knowledge of one's blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein levels (HDL) among older persons who reported a recent blood pressure or cholesterol test. Data come from a self-administered health risk assessment that was mailed to health plan members, age 55 and older in a Santa Barbara, California medical group. Despite their universal access to health care and high levels of reported compliance with preventive health care screening practices, 41%, 49%, and 77% of respondents reported that they did not know their blood pressure, cholesterol, or HDL levels respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, age and low income were inversely associated with the respondents' ability to report each level. In addition, current smoking and obesity were inversely associated with self-reported knowledge of both cholesterol measures. Persons faking medication for hypertension or hypercholesterolemia were much more likely than those not taking medication to be able to report their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Except for persons currently undergoing treatment for related conditions these results suggest that a substantial proportion of the older persons at high risk for cardiovascular disease do not know their levels of these important biological risk factors. This lack of knowledge has important implications for public health education, and may hinder risk-reduction efforts among the elderly. (C) 2001, Editrice Kurtis.