Changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors after the end of social distancing: the 2023 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of social distancing have been reported to negatively impact cardio-vascular-related health behaviors. However, the effects of lifting social distancing restrictions on these health behaviors remain unclear. This study investigated public awareness and behavioral changes related to cardiovascular disease prevention after the end of social distancing. Methods: Between June 5 and June 12, 2023, 2,000 adults participated in the 2023 Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey in Korea. The survey comprehensively addressed sociodemographic factors, cardiometabolic disease history, cardio-vascular disease concern, prevention awareness, and behavioral changes after the end of social distancing. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between behavioral changes and sociodemographic factors. Results: Cardiovascular disease ranked as the second most feared disease (most feared, 18.0%; second most feared, 26.3%) after cancer (most feared, 42.3%; second most feared, 21.7%). Among nine cardiovascular disease prevention recommendations, stress management, being physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet were perceived as the most challenging recommendations. After the end of social distancing, there were more positive changes than negative changes in smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, physical activity, and healthcare service use, whereas stress management more frequently changed negatively (40.0%) than it changed positively (19.5%). Conclusions: Positive changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors, except for stress management, were observed after the end of social distancing. Further research is necessary to fully comprehend the impact of discontinuing social distancing practices.