Implementation of the patient education about cardiovascular risk factors into a daily routine of the Cardiology Unit of the hospital.
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.
Naudziunas
Albinas
A
Kaunas 2nd Clinical Hospital, Kaunas University of Medicine, Josvainiu 2, 47144 Kaunas, Lithuania.
Jankauskiene
Laima
L
Kalinauskiene
Egle
E
Pilvinis
Vidas
V
D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care