Abstract
Background and introduction: Hypertension and diabetes are silent killers globally, and they're a big risk factor for other diseases including cardiovascular disease and kidney diseases. Based upon statistics by the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of the 17 million CV deaths worldwide in 2003 occurred in developing countries. As a result of that we aimed to determine the level of awareness of life style related diseases and their risk factors among diabetes mellitus and hypertension patients. Objective: to assess the level of awareness of lifestyle-related diseases and their risk factors among diabetes and hypertension patients visiting secondary hospitals in the Qassim region. Methodology: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based survey conducted in 320 diabetes and hypertension patients in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Results: Majority of the participants fell in the age group of 61-70 years (27.5% in hypertensive group and 39.4% in diabetic group). (138) of the hypertensive participants correctly answered that HTN is a disease, (142) knew that high blood pressure affects the heart, (136) knew that diet rich in salt is a major cause of HTN. In diabetic group, (112) correctly answered that DM is a condition in which body contains, (118) knew that diabetes can be cured by diet and exercise, (143) knew the accurate method of monitoring diabetes. Conclusion: both groups have acceptable understanding and awareness on HTN, DM and comorbidities. Education was found to have a great role in awareness.