High levels of risk factors and poor secondary prevention for coronary heart disease patients in public hospitals: a descriptive repeated measures study

Background
Secondary prevention is a priority after coronary revascularization for effective long-term cardiovascular care. Coronary Heart Disease is a major health problem in Jordan, but little is known about the current provision of secondary prevention.

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors and explore the current provision of secondary Coronary Heart Disease prevention among patients presenting with first-time Coronary Heart Disease at two time points: during hospitalization (Time 1) and 6 months later (Time 2), in multicentre settings in Jordan.

Methods
A descriptive, repeated measures research study design was applied to a consecutive sample of 180 patients with first-time Coronary Heart Disease. Demographic and clinical details were recorded from medical files. Self-administered questionnaires developed by the researchers were used to measure secondary prevention information related to Coronary Heart Disease, including secondary prevention services, lifestyle advice received and medical advice topics. A short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure physical activity. Participants were assessed at Times 1 and 2.

Results
Unstructured lifestyle advice given to the patients at Times 1 and 2 most frequently related to medications, smoking, diet and blood lipids control advice topics, with no statistically significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors among patients between Times 1 and 2.

Conclusion
Despite an extremely high prevalence of risk factors in this population, the provision of secondary prevention is poor in Jordan, which requires urgent improvement, and the contribution of nurses' to secondary prevention should be enhanced.