Coronary Artery Disease Preventive Behaviors among Thai Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major health burden among community-dwellingolder adults with chronic illnesses. Preventive behaviors, such as healthy diet, physical activity, smokingavoidance, and medication adherence, are important for reducing CAD risk. However, limited healthliteracy and health information access may affect engagement in preventive behaviors. This studyaimed to investigate the factors associated with CAD preventive behaviors among Thai communitydwelling older adults with chronic illnesses.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2025 among 130community-dwelling older adults with chronic illnesses in Selaphum District, Roi Et Province, Thailand.Participants were selected using multi-stage sampling. Data were collected using questionnaireson demographic characteristics, CAD knowledge, perceptions of CAD prevention, health literacy,and CAD preventive behaviors. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression with SPSS 26software. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.Results: The mean overall score of CAD preventive behaviors was 2.89±0.49. Multiple linearregression analysis showed that health literacy (B=0.44, 95% CI [0.33,0.56], P<0.001), perceivedbenefits (B=0.30, 95% CI [0.05,0.56], P=0.020), family history of non-communicable diseases (B=2.23,95% CI [0.39,4.08], P=0.018), and female (B=−2.67, 95% CI [−5.09,−0.25], P=0.031) were significantlyassociated with CAD preventive behaviors.Conclusion: Older adults with chronic illnesses demonstrated high levels of CAD preventive behaviors.Health literacy, perceived benefits, family history of non-communicable diseases, and female sex weresignificantly associated with CAD preventive behaviors. Interventions should prioritize improvinghealth literacy and tailoring strategies to the needs of older women.