Assessment of secondary prevention awareness among patients with coronary artery disease: A survey including patients from 3 centers

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the awareness of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) about secondary prevention and the channels through which they obtained information on this issue.
Methods: A standard questionnaire including 45 questions was given to the patients (n=912) who were admitted to the cardiology outpatient clinics to investigate their secondary prevention awareness and lifestyle.
Results: Of the participants, 508 (55.7%) stated that they knew the condition of their vessels after coronary angiography; 493 (54.1%) stated that they did not exercise; 299 stated that they did not follow any specific diet. Men were more frequently aware of all risk factors except diet, blood glucose, and blood pressure compared to women (p<0.001). Women were more frequently aware that blood glucose and blood pressure are risk factors for CAD compared to men (p<0.001). The high-income patient group was more aware of all the risk factors, except blood glucose compared to the low/medium income patient group (p<0.001). The frequency of awareness, except for blood glucose and antiplatelet drugs, increased as the education level increased (p<0.001). However, the frequency of awareness of blood glucose and antiplatelet drug use was higher in the literate/elementary school/secondary school group (p<0.001). In addition, it was concluded that patients’ sexual life and psychological problems after being diagnosed with the disease were rarely questioned by cardiology specialists.
Conclusion: Awareness of patients with CAD about secondary prevention was found to be very low.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease, cardiovascular risk factors, secondary prevention, awareness