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. 2019 Sep 6;14(9):e0222264.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222264. eCollection 2019.

Heart failure awareness in the Korean general population: Results from the nationwide survey

Mi-Hyang Jung  1 , Hack-Lyoung Kim  2 , Jae Hyuk Choi  3 , Sunki Lee  1 , Min Gyu Kong  4 , Jin Oh Na  5 , Yang Hyun Cho  6 , Kyoung-Im Cho  7 , Dong-Ju Choi  8 , Eung Ju Kim  5
Affiliations

Heart failure awareness in the Korean general population: Results from the nationwide survey

Mi-Hyang Jung et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: For a better heart failure outcome, it is fundamental to improve the awareness of heart failure at the general population level. We conducted this study to identify the current status of awareness of heart failure in the Korean general population.

Methods: This cross-sectional nationwide survey recruited a total of 1,032 participants aged 30 years or older, based on a stratification systematic sampling method. A 23-item questionnaire was surveyed through telephone interviews.

Results: Although 80% of the participants had heard of heart failure, 47% exactly defined what heart failure is. A minority of participants correctly recognized the lifetime risk of developing heart failure (21%) as well as the mortality (16%) and readmission risk (18%) of heart failure and the cost burden of heart failure admission (28%). Regarding preferred treatment options, 71% of the participants chose a treatment option that could improve the quality of life. Approximately two-thirds of the participants agreed that current medical treatment could reduce mortality and improve the quality of life. More than half of the participants (59%) thought that heart failure patients should live quietly and reduce all physical activities. Across survey items, we found a lower awareness state in the elderly groups and people at lower income and educational levels.

Conclusions: The current awareness status of heart failure in the Korean general population is still low. Proactive educational efforts should be made to improve public awareness with special attention to individuals with lower disease awareness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. The awareness state of symptoms of 3 representative cardiovascular diseases.
A. Question for angina/MI (Q1) B. Question for stroke (Q2) C. Question for heart failure (Q3) GI, gastrointestinal; MI, myocardial infarction.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The awareness state of HF in terms of its risk and cost.
A. Lifetime risk of developing HF B. Post-discharge 1-year mortality of HF C. Readmission rate within 1 year after discharge for HF D. Average healthcare cost per admission for HF HF; heart failure. The numbers provided on the x-axis of the graph are approximate ones expected. The correct answers are presented in gray color.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Perception regarding the proper physical activity level in HF.
HF; heart failure.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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