Patients' Poor Knowledge of Heart Conditions May Have
Harmful Consequences
SOURCE: BMJ Specialty Journals
LONDON, ENGLAND -- June 14, 2001 -- Adults with
congenital heart disease have important gaps in their knowledge about their
condition, finds a study in Heart. Because this lack of knowledge may result in
harmful behaviour or inappropriate restrictions, much needs to be done to
improve patients' knowledge about their illness, report the authors.
Researchers in Belgium surveyed 62 adults with
congenital heart disease attending the outpatient clinic of the University
Hospitals of Leuven about their understanding of their disease, its treatment,
and the measures necessary to prevent complications.
They found that on the whole the patients were
very knowledgeable (more than 80 percent giving correct answers) about their
treatment, frequency of follow up, dental practices, occupational choices,
appropriateness of oral contraceptives, and the risks of pregnancy. They were
less knowledgeable (50-80 percent giving correct answers) about the name and
anatomy of their heart defect, the fact that endocarditis (infection of the
internal lining of the heart) could recur, and the appropriateness of physical
activities.
There was poor understanding (less than 50
percent giving correct answers) about factors such as the symptoms of
deterioration of their condition, signs and risk factors for endocarditis, the
impact of smoking and alcohol, and inheritance of the condition.
Although some aspects were well understood, these
findings suggest that there are still important knowledge gaps among these
patients, say the authors. Given that this lack of knowledge may have harmful
consequences, centers caring for adults with congenital heart disease should
invest in adequate and structured patient education in order to enhance
patients' health behaviour, they conclude.
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