PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to identify factors related to self-care adherence in symptomatic patients with heart failure (HF).
METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design, a convenience sample 209 outpatient clinic patients were recruited at two medical centers. Between October 2011 and August 2012, data were collected using the structured questionnaire. Factors related to self-care adherence were examined using hierarchical multiple regression.
RESULTS
Mean age of participants was 67.71 years and a half of them (53.6%) were female. They showed relatively low self-care adherence with mean scores of 61.88±12.92. Lower self-care adherence was reported in asking for low sodium items, weighing oneself, checking for ankle edema, and exercising for 30 minutes. The overall model significantly explained 23.9% of variance in self-care adherence. Among the predictors, education, New York Heart Association functional classification, and social support were statistically significant in influencing self-care adherence. The variable of negative emotional status such as anxiety and depression were not found to be significant.
CONCLUSION
These findings demonstrate that social support could help self-care adherence among symptomatic patients with HF. Thus, programs targeting self-care adherence in this population should consider the strategies improving social support.

Citations

• An Integrated Literature Review on Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
  Hong-A Lim, Yeoungsuk Song
  Journal of Health Informatics and Statistics.2024; 49(3): 205.     CrossRef
• Self-care model based on the theory of unpleasant symptoms in patients with heart failure
  In-Suk Yang, Younhee Kang
  Applied Nursing Research.2018; 43: 10.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
Cardiovascular risk factor modification is important for patients with coronary artery disease to prevent poor progression of the disease. Without an understanding and an awareness of risk factors, patients with coronary artery disease are not able to reduce their risk by the lifestyle modification. The aims of this study were to assess patient's awareness of risk factors and to identify predictors of awareness of risk factors.
METHODS
A descriptive correlational study using a cross-sectional survey method was performed. The sites of the study were three hospitals in Seoul, Korea. The sample consisted of 214 subjects. The awareness of risk factors and other subjects' characteristics were measured by a questionnaire developed for this study.
RESULTS
A range of subjects (gender: 72.0%; hyperlipidemia: 51.9%; hypertension: 40.7%; obese: 37.4%; age: 35.5%; smoking: 22.4%; diabetes: 19.2%; family history: 18.2%) were not able to accurately identify the risk factors. Among predictors, gender (beta=-.17) and diabetics (beta=-.25) had statistically significant influences on awareness of risk factors.
CONCLUSION
Our findings highlight the lack of awareness of risk factors for coronary artery disease. The findings have important implications for nursing practice in terms of guiding educational strategies for the modification of risk factors for coronary heart disease.