Table 3.

Respondent Comments about Attitudes and Beliefs about Health, Heart Health and Related Conditions

“heart disease is accepted as an illness, rather than thought of as preventable” — middle- aged woman

High blood pressure “On average, people are not too concerned [about high blood pressure].”- middle aged woman “I have always felt good - never go to MDs; pressure checked regularly because [my] Dad died from it” “after one month you don’t take [pills]...use garlic for pressure… …older people advise also the sugar bush, two times daily” — middle age woman “Garlic and bush medicine used [for high blood pressure], and felt to work after 3 days of drinking bush tea” - middle age woman

Diabetes “When you have high sugar, there are not immediate consequences … people only take things seriously when they have end-stage problems.” - older man “Diabetes is very common. …It is because of the genetic pool. It is not because they are eating tons of carbohydrates. Lifestyle changes might modify the severity of it, but it may not prevent it.” — older man

Cholesterol “Most patients do not request cholesterol measurement, and coming in to specifically ask for that is very unusual” - health care professional “I have come to the conclusion that most of the things are genetic, even the cholesterol level.” — health care professional

Health Locus of Control and Spirituality “God has part of your health. Your half of the bargain: eat healthy and exercise” — middle age woman “…..we are nothing without God; all exercise, diet, smoking-God has a plan for you that you cannot change-you will die when God is ready to let you die but can enjoy that time (if you take care of yourself)” — older man