The awareness and knowledge about heart failure in Poland - lessons from the Heart Failure Awareness Day and internet surveys.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a life-threatening condition which affects up to 2% of contemporary populations. Generally, it is a chronic and progressive disease, however in many cases it can be prevented or treated. Nevertheless, effective control of this disease requires awareness of symptoms in the society.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the level of HF knowledge in the Polish population.

METHODS

The questionnaire concerning knowledge about HF prepared by the Competence Network HF under the patronage of the European Heart Failure Association of the ESC, was used. The survey included 534 contributors who formed three groups: medical students - in vast majority at first half of the study course (MS) - 198 (37.1%), HF Awareness Day participants (HFDP) - 134 (25.1%) and other (OP) - 202 (37.8%).

RESULTS

Study groups differed in terms of gender, age and level of education. As predicted, MS achieved the highest score (22.5 [20.0-24.0]), compared to HFDP (20.0 [17.0-22.0], P <0.001) and OP (19.0[16.0-21.0], P <0.001). Knowledge on typical HF symptoms was alarmingly low in the analyzed groups - dyspnea (MS - 96.0%, HFDP - 78.4%, OP - 74.6%), ankle edema (MS - 79.8%, HFDP - 50.6%, OP - 32.2%), body weight gain (MS - 14.1%, HFDP - 17.2%, OP - 4.5%). By multivariate model medical education (β 3.372, 95% CI 2.738-4.005) and own illness or having relatives or friends with HF (β 0.654, 95% CI 0.066-1.242) independently affected the score of awareness questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

The basic knowledge on HF in Poland is not sufficient. It is moderately better among MS. Further campaigns improving HF awareness are necessary.