Heart Disease, Now What? Improving Quality of Life through Education

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 17;18(6):3077. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063077.

Abstract

Introduction: The management of chronic illness assumes a level of demand for permanent care and reaches a priority dimension in the health context. Given the importance of nursing care to post-acute coronary syndrome patients, the objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention program on quality of life in patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Method: Quasi-experimental study with two groups: an experimental group exposed to the educational intervention program and the control group without exposure to the educational intervention program.

Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between both groups (p < 0.001). Although only valid for the specific group of subjects studied, the educational intervention program enabled significant gains in quality of life.

Conclusions: According to the findings of the study, a systematized and structured educational program, integrated into the care organization and based on transition processes, is effective in developing self-care skills and improves the quality of life in patients after acute coronary syndrome.

Keywords: cardiac rehabilitation; coronary disease; health education; quality of life; self-care.

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Educational Status
  • Heart Diseases*
  • Heart Failure*
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life