Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 60% of the total deaths in India. The National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancers, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is operational in selected districts of India since 2009-2010. Health workers (HWs) are the key stakeholders in the implementation of NPCDCS at community level. Keeping in view the dismal progress of the program implementation in existing districts, it is evident to assess the capacities of the HWs before rolling out the program in new districts.

The treatment of chronic diseases like coronary heart disease (CHD) is expensive and can consume a significant portion of household’s income, leading to catastrophic effects on families, particularly those of low socioeconomic status. This was a cross‑sectional study carried out in a private super specialty hospital and a government tertiary care hospital. Nonprobability purposive sampling method was used to collect primary data from a sample of 102 households; having a member suffering from CHD.