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Objective The disease outcome had been shown to improve with improving patient knowledge. The study had two objectives, firstly to assess the level of knowledge about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the general population, and secondly, to provide written educational material regarding the risk factors, major symptoms, and the prevention of CVDs. Method The target population was the residents living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, aged 18 years and above. All were invited to participate voluntarily. A pre-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data related to age, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, lifestyle habits, and a history of heart diseases, as well as cardiac symptoms, and risk factors. The educational material was provided after the questionnaire. Results The majority of the participants were female (74.8%). The risk factors most frequently identified were lack of exercise, stress, and obesity. Chest pain was recognized as a major symptom (87.6%). Other symptoms included dyspnea, syncope, and excessive sweating. The level of knowledge regarding the risk factors for cardiovascular disease was poor. Only 18.5% were knowledgeable about the risk factors. The majority (60%) could identify the preventable factors, including smoking cessation (92.2%), a high level of cholesterol (88.6%), and hypertension (78.7%). The majority (83.7%) read the educational material and 99% reported that the lecture increased their knowledge about cardiovascular disease. Conclusion Although cardiovascular risk factors are common, there is a big gap in the knowledge in our population. Further, alarming symptoms that bring the patients to medical care are also deficient. A call for action at different levels is urgent. Simple educational material in a basic language and virtual education are useful and cheap tools that must be practiced wherever possible. Education is welcomed by the participants.
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Non-O1, non-O139 Vibrio cholera (NOVC) are considered non-pathogenic organisms, but in some cases, it is known to be responsible for self-limiting intestinal and extra-intestinal infections in immunocompetent individuals. On the other hand, NOVC bacteremia affects mainly immunocompromised patients with significantly high mortality rates. We report a case of an 80-year-old female with a 20-year history of multiple abdominal surgeries. She is also known to have ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation. The patient presented with abdominal pain and signs of septic shock. Her abdominal imaging showed features of ascending cholangitis, while her blood culture grew V. cholera. She was discharged after completing the course of antibiotics but then came back with a similar presentation. The repeated blood culture showed Clostridium perfringens, while other cultures were negative. The patient's condition worsened due to sepsis, and she passed away. NOVC bacteremia is a fatal disease even in hosts who are not receiving immunosuppressants or chemotherapy. It may present without a history of diarrhea or seafood ingestion. In such situations, abdominal imaging is necessary to identify the presence of intra-abdominal infections.