Heart to Heart Conversations: Perspectives on CMD Risk

Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) is a common yet overlooked secondary complication in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy (CP), and spina bifida (SB). Despite being at an increased risk of CMD, persons with these neurological conditions are less likely to receive appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The purpose of this study is to capture the experiences of persons with SCI/MS/CP/SB, as well as the medical professionals who primarily treat them (e.g., primary care providers, physiatrists) on knowledge, concern, importance, self-efficacy, and decision-making as it relates to CMD identification, treatment, and management. Care gaps and opportunities for improvement will be identified to inform future programming in the domain of heart health.