Heart smart: Breaking down barriers in cardiovascular education 

Every 33 seconds, someone in the United States dies from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite being the leading cause of death for both men and women, many Americans remain unaware of the prevalence or the risk factors that put them in danger. From heart attacks to strokes, CVD encompasses a range of life-threatening conditions that continue to claim lives at an alarming rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

In November 2024, Phreesia surveyed more than 1,000 patients who had seen a campaign about heart health. Of those surveyed, 30% did not know heart disease is the No. 1 health threat in the United States before seeing the campaign. Another 29% said the campaign was what taught them that high blood sugar can damage blood vessels, and 18% said the campaign was how they learned that conditions like high cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar are linked to cardiovascular disease.¹  

CVD poses a greater risk to some Americans 

Research shows that rural populations, older Americans and some other groups bear a disproportionate burden of CVD, as well as other chronic conditions associated with CVD. For example, Phreesia research suggests that patients living in rural areas are more likely to have been diagnosed with high blood pressure compared to patients living in urban areas. Adults living in rural areas also have higher rates of type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol compared to adults living in urban areas.² Without proper management, chronic diseases can accelerate the progression of heart disease and increase the likelihood of serious complications, including heart attacks and strokes. Limited access to healthcare facilities, fewer specialists, longer travel distances for medical care and higher rates of poverty all contribute to the potential for worse outcomes.  

Similarly, older adults are also at a higher risk of CVD, as aging increases the likelihood of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. More than 70% of adults develop CVD by the age of 70. Many older adults also face challenges in managing their health due to mobility issues, limited access to transportation and difficulties understanding complex medical information. 

Addressing these differences requires targeted education efforts that provide clear, actionable health information and emphasize the importance of early intervention and lifestyle modifications.  

Think outside the box to activate and educate patients 

Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, many Americans remain unaware of its risk factors, the behaviors that increase their risk, and the impact of conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure on overall health and comorbidities. This highlights the need for greater education on the topic. However, educational health content isn’t one-size-fits-all. What is relevant and effective for one audience might not impact another.  

To reach and activate different patient groups with educational health content, organizations must think outside the box. Here’s how. 

1. Choose the right channel. If a message isn’t delivered in the right context, it won’t have the desired impact. An online advertisement, for instance, may not reach the intended audience in a way that drives behavioral change. In fact, our research shows that 40% of rural patients have trouble determining if the information they find online is reliable, compared with 37% of urban patients and 32% of suburban patients.³  
    
   That’s why it is important to deliver educational health information in a trusted setting, such as the point of care. Research shows that patients trust the medication information they see at the point of care significantly more than the content they see in print, on social media, on the internet or on television. Delivering personalized, tailored content directly to patients in a setting where they can discuss it with a healthcare professional and take immediate action can have a significant impact. 

2. Focus on empowering individual choice. Educational content should actively encourage behavior change. Messaging should connect specific behaviors—such as diet, physical activity and medication adherence—to their direct impact on heart health. Providing simple, actionable steps can motivate lasting change. 
    
   For example, in March 2024, Phreesia launched a campaign centered on educating patients about different actions they could take to improve their heart health, like quitting smoking, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol, managing their blood pressure, and staying active. Of the patients exposed to the campaign, nearly 1 in 4 surveyed said the messages from the content that motivated them the most to learn more about heart disease were the fact that heart disease risk can be lowered through lifestyle changes and that common heart conditions can exacerbate heart problems like heart attack or stroke.⁴  
    
   ​Compared to a control group, more individuals who saw the content were generally activated to learn about heart disease and intended to discuss heart disease risks and prevention with their provider at their upcoming appointment compared to those who did not. More than 8 in 10 patients reported that the information from the campaign was very helpful to them.⁵ As of February 2025, the campaign is still live on platform, helping raise awareness and motivate behavioral change. 

3. Ensure accessibility and clarity. Health information should be easy to understand and available in multiple formats—such as written, audio and video materials—to accommodate different learning preferences and levels of accessibility. Additionally, simplifying complex medical concepts and writing in plain language (i.e. skipping the medical jargon) can help empower patients to take control of their health. Creating content or educational materials in the intended audience’s preferred language can also break down barriers to care and improve health outcomes. 

More than half of Americans do not know that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the country. Addressing this knowledge gap with education and actionable tips is essential to saving lives. 

Learn how Phreesia can help you reach and activate patients by delivering relevant health content that addresses their unique needs.  

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