Knowledge of heart disease risk in patients declining rehabilitation

• Background: Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programmes (CRPs) allows patients to increase their knowledge of the importance of established risk factors to help them maintain healthy lifestyle changes after coronary heart disease (CHD).Aim: To explore perceived importance and knowledge of known risk factors for CHD among non-attendees in CRPs.Method: Consecutive non-attendees in CRPs (n=106) answered a questionnaire focusing on patients' attitudes towards risk factors and cardiac rehabilitation.Results: The non-attendees lacked knowledge of non-physical characteristics such as depression and social isolation. They also had poor knowledge about biological causes and hereditary factors. However, those who said they knew enough about CHD to prevent recurrent illness did have sufficient knowledge about the established risk factors.Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge about social isolation and depression and their importance in the development of CHD among the non-attendees. They show greater knowledge about biological risk factors than the importance of companionship, joy and happiness. CHD and loneliness are intimately correlated, so creating a sense of belonging must not be underestimated as a measure to prevent CHD.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Nursing

Omvårdnad

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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