Improving cardiovascular prevention through patient awareness

Abstract

Objective: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) or coronary artery disease (CAD) must have their risk factors rigorously controlled, but there is a gap between practice and ideal. This study aimed to demonstrate how cardiovascular prevention is performed for these patients in a Brazilian university hospital, and to identify predictors of good practice. Methods: 192 patients with CAD or PAD were included in this transversal study. Six prevention goals were analyzed: 1) systolic blood pressure < 140 mmHg; 2) diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg; 3) LDL < 100 mg/dL; 4) HDL > 40 mg/dL for men/ > 50 mg/dL for women; 5) not smoking; 6) regular practice of aerobic exercise. Results: The mean age of the patients was 65.7 years, and 60% were men. The percentage of patients that achieved goals 1 to 6 was 57.3%, 67.2%, 40.1%, 27.6%, 88.5%, and 25%, respectively. The average number of goals achieved by patients was 3.06 +/- 1.31. When asked about the reason for being treated, 182(94.8%) patients claimed to know about their disease, but when the diagnosis reported by the patients with the physician's diagnosis were compared, it was discordant in 12% of cases. The average number of goals achieved by patients was 2.67 and 3.46 for the PAD and the CAD group, respectively. The independent predictors of a higher number of goals/patient were: male gender (p = 0.011), hospitalization (p < 0.0001), CAD diagnosis (p = 0.011), knowing the reason for treatment (p = 0.028), and receiving prescription of beta-blocker (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Even in an university hospital, prevention is far from ideal. Efforts to increase patients' awareness should be stimulated, and can possibly improve the effectiveness of preventive measures.

Objetivo:Pacientes com doença arterial periférica (DAP) ou doença arterial coronariana (DAC) necessitam de um controle rigoroso dos seus fatores de risco, mas essa prática ainda está muito aquém da ideal. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar como é feita a prevenção cardiovascular nesses pacientes em um hospital universitário no Brasil e identificar os preditores de melhor prevenção secundária. Métodos:Trata-se de estudo transversal, com 192 pacientes portadores de DAC ou DAP. Foram analisadas seis metas a serem atingidas: 1) pressão arterial sistólica < 140 mmHg; 2) pressão arterial diastólica < 90 mmHg; 3) LDL < 100 mg/dL; 4) HDL > 40 mg/dL para homens/> 50 mg/dL para mulheres; 5) não fumar; 6) prática de exercício físico aeróbico regular. Resultados:A idade média dos pacientes é 65,7 anos e 60% são do sexo masculino. A porcentagem dos pacientes que atingiram de 1 a 6 metas foi 57,3%; 67,2%; 40,1%; 27,6%; 88,5% e 25%, respectivamente. O número médio de metas atingidas por paciente foi 2,67 e 3,46 para os pacientes com DAP e DAC, respectivamente. Os preditores independentes de maior número de metas/paciente foram: sexo masculino (p = 0,011), estar internado (p < 0,001), diagnóstico de DAC (p = 0,011), saber o motivo do tratamento (p = 0,028) e receber prescrição de β-bloqueador (p = 0,011). Conclusão:Mesmo em um hospital universitário, a prevenção encontra-se longe da ideal. Esforços para aumentar a conscientização do paciente devem ser estimulados e podem possivelmente melhorar a efetividade das medidas preventivas.