Knowledge of heart failure patients about the disease

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Despite all the technological advances that have made it possible to increase the life expectancy of patients with Heart Failure (HF), this continues to be a disease with an important socioeconomic impact and high hospital mortality. Education to understand HF and the development of capacities for selfcare are considered keys to improve adherence, avoid decompensation crises and maintain the clinical stability. Purpose Evaluate the knowledge of patients with HF about the disease, treatment, symptoms and its recognition. Methods Was developed a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study. The questionnaire incorporated Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale (DHFKS). Sampling was consecutive non-probability of patients followed in outpatient visit and hospitalized in the ward at a university hospital. Results All elements of the sample answered that "it is important that I take my HF medication regularly". It is important to understand that adherence to therapy is not just taking medications, but also complying with the diet and modification habits or lifestyles. The item that followed with the highest correct rate (97%) was the one that questions what the meaning of HF is. The patient should be tried to understand the cause of the HF, the symptoms and the course of the disease and based on that, make realistic decisions, including decisions about treatment at the end of life. When asked about the best thing to do in case of increased dyspnea or edema, 90.7% know that early contact with the doctor or nurse is important. The patient must be able to monitor and recognize changes in signs and symptoms so that understands when and how to contact a health professional. The nursing intervention should focus on educating patients and their families for the early recognition of these signs and symptoms, avoiding episodes of decompensation. One of the items with the worst correct rate was "How often should patients with severe HF be weighed?" (37.2%). Daily weight have an important role in identifying signs of hypervolaemia. The other item with the worst correct rate was "Why should a patient with HF follow a low-salt diet" (34.9%). The knowledge of the patients in our sample needs to be probed about the area of food, particularly with the salt restriction and daily weight control. However, they recognize the importance of taking the medication and what to do in case of worsening symptoms. Conclusions We can conclude that about knowledge, patients recognize the importance of taking their medication on a regular basis, they know what "HF" means, what to do in case of dyspnea or edema and what diuretics are for. Instead, they have difficulty understanding the need to weigh themselves daily and the importance of reducing salt in them diet. With this study, it is concluded that it is important to invest in the education of patients and their families so that they adopt healthy lifestyles that can increase their life quality.