Introduction: Although most actions undertaken within the scope of the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease should be initiated during hospitalization, obtaining maximal effects (quantified by cardiovascular risk reduction) depends largely on continuation and appropriate adjustment of these measures in the post-discharge period. The aim of this paper is to assess the implementation of guidelines on secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in the period after discharge from the hospital in the years 1999/2000 as compared with 1997/98.
Material and methods: In the first phase 515 subjects hospitalized in cardiac departments of university and general hospitals in Cracow were included. Out of them, 427 patients attended the control visit 6-18 months after index hospitalization. Based on a standardized questionnaire a structured medical history was obtained including the presence of risk factors and medication. At the same time body height and mass and blood pressure were measured and blood samples were obtained for lipid profile and fasting glucose level.
Results: Elevated cholesterol levels (> or = 5.2 mmol/l) were observed in 65.8% of patients in 1998/99 and 66.3% in 1999/2000, high blood pressure (> or = 140/90 mmHg) in 46.2% and 50.4%, obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) in 24.6% and 27.2%, fasting hyperglycemia (> or = 6.0 mmol/l) in 17.7% and 27.4% (p < 0.05) and smoking in 16.3% and 15.9%, respectively. An increase was observed in the rate of antiplatelet (76.1% in 1998/99 vs 86.7% in 1999/2000, p < 0.001) and lipid lowering drug use (34.0% vs 41.9%, p < 0.05). The rate of beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors use did not change significantly.
Conclusions: In the years 1999/2000 the control of main risk factors of ischaemic heart disease did not improve when compared with 1997/98. There was only an increase in the percentage of patients on antiplatelet and lipid lowering drugs. These results indicate that the dissemination of the guidelines for secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease among physicians and patients remains one of the top priorities of cardiology in Poland.