[A pilot survey of the main causes of chronic heart failure in patients treated in primary hospitals in China].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this investigation is to make clear the main causes of chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients who receive management in primary hospitals in China and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention of CHF in primary hospitals in China.


METHODS
The first three main causes of CHF were determined in the way of answering questionnaires by local doctors from 2066 local hospitals (from one hospital at least one doctor) in 17 areas, we got 2100 pieces of valid answer. Input these forms to computer 2 times, check repeatedly till being sure that there were no mistakes in them and then make statistics with SPSS soft kit.


RESULTS
In primary hospitals in our country, the first three main causes of CHF are coronary heart disease, hypertension and rheumatic heart disease. In some places chronic pulmonary heart disease is also a main cause of CHF in primary hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
The primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and hypertension is certainly important in the prevention of CHF, but it is equally important to prevent rheumatic heart disease and chronic pulmonary heart disease.
Cao
Ya-min
YM
Department of Cardiologe, People's Hospital, Beijing University, Beijing 100044, China. bj_yaminc@yahoo.com.cn
Hu
Da-yi
DY
Wu
Yan
Y
Wang
Hong-yu
HY
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011660:Pulmonary Heart Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires