Is Knowledge Level of Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factors Among Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients Adequate?

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is now commonly used in the treatment of coronary heart disease. However, shorter hospital stays after intervention may affect patients' knowledge and subsequent required lifestyle changes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate participants' risk factor profile, knowledge of coronary heart disease, and the influence of demographic and risk factors on this knowledge.

METHODS

This prospective, cross-sectional 1-site study recruited both elective and emergency PCI patients postdischarge. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, risk factor profile, and coronary heart disease knowledge as measured on the Bergman Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the influence of 11 risk and sociodemographic factors on knowledge.

RESULTS

The response rate was 67% (n = 84). The sample was mostly male and aged 65.79 ± 9.9 years, and 59% had an elective PCI. Risk factor burden was high; 2 or more risk factors were seen in 66% of participants. Mean knowledge score overall was 51%, with the highest score achieved in the risk factor domain (61%). Lowest scores were in the medical and symptoms domains (both 46%). Neither the bivariate nor the multivariate analyses were significant. A large proportion of patients believed that coronary heart disease was no longer a concern for them after PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

As expected, the risk factor profile of post-PCI patients was high. However, their knowledge levels and awareness were unrelated to risk factor profile and poor in comparison with studies in other cardiac patients. This, in addition to the short stay in hospital and the low attendance of this cohort at cardiac rehabilitation, identifies this group of patients as a priority for further targeted education. Innovations are needed to increase knowledge and begin behavioral change predischarge after PCI. This should include target and goal setting for lifestyle change to avail of this critical education opportunity.