Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease by life style changes and education

Abstract

It has been shown in several studies that cardiac re-infarction may be prevented by life-style changes and risk factor modification. Current literature has also shown that most patients are interested in knowing what has happened to their heart, knowing their risk factors and their control, and knowing their medications. The involvement of the spouse during information giving was seen to be beneficial. This dissertation includes a study conducted locally to discover what education patients are being offered post infarction: how this is given and how effective it is. The tool used was the interview method. Results showed that patients were lacking in the desired information and little education was given. What was offered was unplanned, disorganized and of unequal distribution. Communication barriers might exist especially among those falling in the lower ranks of the social classes. To prevent this, it was recommended that structured, formal education programs be introduced to post-myocardial infarcted patients. The introduction of the patient allocation system and a cardiac nurse specialist might also help in information giving. The education and screening of the general public to decrease morbidity for heart disease was also recommended.