What have our patients learnt after being hospitalised for an acute myocardial infarction?

Background: Education for hospitalised patients is an important aspect of care for people who have an acute cardiovascular event.

Objective: To investigate the cardiovascular risk factor behaviours of patients together with their acute coronary syndrome (ACS) knowledge, attitudes and beliefs following admission to hospital for an acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction participated in an observational study. Patients completed a questionnaire consisting of cardiovascular risk factor behaviour questions and the ACS Response Index prior to discharge and at follow-up 10 weeks later.

Results: Of the 135 participants enrolled, 114 (84%) completed follow-up, 70% were males; mean age was 63 (± 11.6) years. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (IQR 1) and the time to follow-up after discharge was 10 weeks. Self-reported risk factor behaviours improved significantly for diet (p < 0.001) and smoking cessation (p = 0.023) following discharge. At discharge 39% of patients had inadequate knowledge of ACS symptoms. The ACS Response Index improved significantly after discharge for attitudes (p = 0.004) and beliefs (p = 0.008). Despite 85% of patients indicating they would attend cardiac rehabilitation only 30% had commenced a programme at follow-up.

Conclusion: Patients reported implementing a number of healthy lifestyle changes following discharge including smoking cessation and healthy eating. Attitudes and beliefs regarding ACS showed a significant improvement following discharge. More than one third of patients had inadequate knowledge at discharge, suggesting current education practices may not be meeting the needs of patients with a myocardial infarction.