Abstract

*Dr. Rosy Shrestha, Jaya Prasad Singh, Dr. Kshitiz Shrestha and Sirjana Shrestha

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of disease burden worldwide. Having Knowledge of the CAD can be considered as the first step to reduce the risk of cardiac complication. Referral to cardiac rehabilitation center (CR) has proved to be effective in improving functional capacity and quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the knowledge regarding CR in patients with CAD attending a tertiary level hospital at Bharatpur, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study design was used to examine 85 CAD patients attending cardiac out-patient departments of Chitwan Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal. Non-probability, consecutive sampling technique was used for data collection by face to face interview method by using a standard tool, namely CADE-Q. Data was analyzed. Results: Of all 85 respondents mean age was 56.95 ± 15 years. The highest scores of knowledge on CR were in prescription for physical activity based on stress test and persons’ abilities and disabilities (42.4%) and lowest in optimal target value of HDL and LDL cholesterol (2.4%). Level of knowledge was found less than 70%, as 3.5% scored acceptable, 52.9% poor and 43.6% insufficient. Conclusion: The knowledge regarding Cardiac Rehabilitation programs among CAD patients in Bharatpur were found to be sub-optimal. Hence, it is strongly recommended that nurses should frequently organize educational intervention programs on CR and subsequently emphasize on establishing cardiac rehabilitation centers in every tertiary level hospital so as to improve the knowledge on CR among CAD patients.