Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death globally. Assessing CVD knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) is necessary to spread awareness about CVD in Lebanon, their corresponding risk factors, and behaviors in which individuals can avoid or minimize the possibility of developing a CVD. This was a case-control analytical study that targeted 921 CVD and non-CVD subjects. A questionnaire form was used to collect data related to patients’ demographics, socioeconomic status, habits, medical and family history, KAP towards CVD, and source of information. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.25. Data from 921 participants were distributed over the CVD group (52.6% males aged 58.3 ± 13.7 years [n = 460]) and the non-CVD group (47.7% males aged 36.3 ± 15.4 years [n = 461]). CVD patients were significantly older than non-CVD subjects (p < 0.001). All three KAP scores of both groups were of poor to fair levels. Both CVD knowledge and attitude mean scores in CVD patients (26.6 ± 5.2 over 40 [66.50%] and 63.3 ± 10.2 over 85 [74.47%], respectively) were significantly higher than the ones of non-CVD subjects (23.5 ± 7.9 over 40 [58.75%] and 61.4 ± 12.4 over 85 [72.74%], respectively, p < 0.001). However, the CVD mean practice score was significantly lower in CVD patients (6.0 ± 1.7 over 9 [66.67%]) than the one of non-CVD subjects (6.3 ± 2.2 over 9 [70.00%] p < 0.001). Mostly, educational level (p < 0.001), governorate (p < 0.01), and smoking (p < 0.001) were predictors of KAP CVD in both groups. With an overall limited knowledge, attitude, and practice toward CVDs, the Lebanese population (with CVD or non-CVD) needs targeted national campaigns about CVD according to the identified predictors of CVD KAP to prevent and to alleviate the complications due to CVDs.

Prostate cancer (PC) is a frequent neoplasm among men. This study aimed to determine the awareness level of Lebanese men on PC in terms of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). This was a cross-sectional online based survey, conducted on Lebanese men between April and December 2021. We collected data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, habits, and patient/family history of PC, and assessed the level of knowledge (27 items), attitudes (6 items) toward PC, and the level of practice related to the prostate exam and PSA test. We evaluated 844 responses. Only 4.6% of our participants demonstrated an adequate Knowledge level about PC. A greater score was achieved with participants of higher educational levels (p < 0.001) and those who had previously heard about PC (p = 0.002). Around 40% of responders displayed an adequate attitude toward PC. Higher educational level (p < 0.001), being informed by the physician and/or urologist about the PSA test (p < 0.001), having previously heard about PC (p = 0.001), being advised to be screened for PC (p = 0.006), and being employed (p = 0.007), improved attitude level toward PC. As for practice, PSA testing and prostate exam performance significantly increased with age, monthly income, being employed, history of prostate problems, being informed by a physician and/or urologist about the advantages and disadvantages of having the PSA test, and attitude towards PC. With unsatisfactory KAP levels toward PC, tailored awareness campaigns according to the identified predictors of PC KAP are needed in Lebanese men to prevent and alleviate their disease progression.

Background: Blood lipids are dysregulated in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Lower high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C) are associated with disease severity and death in PH. Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction and failure are the major determinants of morbidity and mortality in PH. This study aims to test the hypothesis that dyslipidemia is associated with RV dysfunction in PH. Methods: We enrolled healthy control subjects (n=12) and individuals with PH (n=30) (age: 18-65 years old). Clinical characteristics, echocardiogram, 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (PET) scan, blood lipids, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), lipoproteins (LDL-C and HDL-C), and N-terminal pro-B type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) were determined. Results: Individuals with PH had lower HDL-C [PH, 41±12; control, 56±16 mg/dL, p <0.01] and higher TG to HDL-C ratio [PH, 3.6±3.1; control, 2.2±2.2, p<0.01] as compared to controls. TC, TG, and LDL-C were similar between PH and controls. Lower TC and TG were associated with worse RV function measured by RV strain ( R =–0.43, p =0.02 and R= –0.37, p =0.05 respectively), RV fractional area change ( R =0.51, p <0.01 and R =0.48, p <0.01 respectively), RV end-systolic area ( R =–0.63, p <0.001 and R =–0.48, p <0.01 respectively), RV end-diastolic area: R =–0.58, p <0.001 and R =–0.41, p =0.03 respectively), and RV glucose uptake by PET ( R =–0.46, p =0.01 and R =–0.30, p =0.10 respectively). NT-proBNP was negatively correlated with TC ( R = – 0.61, p =0.01) and TG ( R =–0.62, p <0.02) in PH. Conclusion: These findings confirm dyslipidemia is associated with worse right ventricular function in PH.

: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study is the first in Lebanon to evaluate gender- and age-related differences in the angiographic patterns and clinical characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD). This descriptive, multicenter, cross-sectional study included Lebanese patients presenting with acute coronary symptoms and angiographically confirmed CAD who underwent coronary angiography between January 2021 and February 2022. Data were obtained through patient interviews and comprehensive review of medical records, including coronary angiography findings, echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular systolic function, and laboratory data. Patients were stratified by gender and by age into younger (≤55 years) and older (>55 years) groups. The study included 212 patients with CAD (51.4% male; mean age 60.6 years). Male patients more frequently had prior angina, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization and exhibited more severe coronary lesions, particularly involving the left anterior descending artery. Among patients with multivessel disease (MVD), males had a greater extent of coronary involvement. Younger patients more often reported a family history of CAD, whereas older patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, prior ischemic events, coronary interventions, heart failure, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Gender and age are associated with distinct angiographic patterns of CAD, as well as differences in related clinical characteristics. Male gender is linked to more extensive coronary disease, while older age is associated with greater comorbidity burden and impaired ventricular function. Awareness of these differences may support improved risk stratification and individualized management of CAD.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the most common comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. This multicenter cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, risk perception, precautionary measures, and psychological burden related to COVID-19 among Lebanese individuals with and without CVD during the pandemic’s first wave. A total of 485 CVD patients and 1033 control group (CG) participants completed standardized questionnaires, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. Compared to CG, CVD patients demonstrated significantly lower COVID-19-related knowledge (86.4% vs. 90.0%, p < 0.001) and adherence to preventive measures (81.5% vs. 85.7%, p < 0.001). After stratification, limited knowledge was more common among CVD patients (45.7% vs. 31.8%), as was limited precautionary behavior (70.3% vs. 54.2%). Risk perception was suboptimal in both groups, with no significant difference (41.3% vs. 38.6%, p = 0.072). Anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 10) and depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) were more prevalent among CVD patients (13.4% and 11.3%) than CG participants (9.5% and 16.5%). Survey outcomes were influenced by educational, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors. These findings highlight the need to target CVD patients in public health campaigns to enhance preparedness and mental health support during pandemics.