Implementation of the patient education about cardiovascular risk factors into a daily routine of the Cardiology Unit of the hospital

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in developed countries. Main modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are smoking, hypertension and dyslipidemia. We sought to introduce the patient education about these risk factors into a daily routine of the Cardiology Unit of the hospital.

Methods: In November 2003, 56 patients filled out the questionnaire at discharge from the Cardiology Unit. Collected data were discussed with the physicians of this unit. In December 2003, 64 patients of this unit once again were asked to fill out the questionnaire.

Results: In December, less patients were not informed by physicians about smoking risk (3.1% versus 18.2%, P = 0.03) and diet (0% versus 18%, P = 0.0001), more patients quitted smoking (75% versus 50%, P = 0.03), less patients claimed unaware of their blood pressure (6.25% versus 21.4%, P = 0.01), cholesterol level (3.1% versus 60.7%, P = 0.00001) and the necessity to correct them (0% versus 22.7%, P = 0.0001, and 0% versus 64.3%, P = 0.00001).

Conclusions: Implementation of the patient education about cardiovascular risk factors by physicians into the daily routine of the Cardiology Unit was successful.