Relation between health literacy and cardiac health behavior: evidence from Iranian cardiovascular disease patients

Aim One of the effective factors in preventing cardiovascular disease is cardiac health behaviors. Cardiac health behaviors are essential for transforming lifestyle patterns. In this study, we investigated the status of health literacy and cardiac health behaviors and the factors that can affect them. Subject and methods This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional involved 126 individuals with cardiovascular diseases who were referred to Ayatollah Mousavi hospital in Zanjan, Iran. Convenience sampling was conducted from August 10 to November 10, 2024. Data were collected using the Cardiac Health Behavior (CHB) scale and the Health Literacy (HL) Instrument for Adults (HELIA). Analyses were performed in Rstudio 2025.05.0 using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression. Results The lowest HL score was in the "decision-making/ behavioral intention" domain and the highest in the "reading" domain. About 36% and 12% of participants had an adequate and excellent level of HL, respectively. The lowest CHB score was in the "physical activity" domain and the highest in the "dietary habits" domain. Women, urban residents, non-smokers, patients with adequate/ excellent levels of HL, and those with university education demonstrated better CHB scores. Conclusion According to the results, the lowest score was related to physical activity and the highest score was related to dietary habits, and health literacy was not adequate. Health policymakers should implement educational interventions to improve factors affecting heart health behaviors, which will ultimately lead to the promotion of health behaviors and prevention of cardiovascular diseases at different levels.