Abstract

The onset of chronic illness is a significant life event that poses a frightening challenge at a micro and macro level. One such chronic illness is cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a major health problem in Australia. The way in which individuals adapt to chronic illness is closely related to the cultural and linguistic factors that are an integral part of personal identity. This study presents the health beliefs of elderly Greek Australians and the way they understand health and disease. The process through which elderly Greek Australians conceptualize CVD and seek medical care will be discussed in the context of their specific cultural views and attitudes towards illness.