The effect of education on life style among patients suffering from ischemic heart disease.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Cardiovascular diseases and more importantly the ischemic heart diseases (IHD) have been the most serious health problems during the late 20 th and early 21 st centuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of education on modifying the life style of patients with IHD in Imam Ali Hospital, Khatamolanbia Hospital and Tamin Ejtemaie Hospital in Zanhedan city. Materials and methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 180 patients with IHD recruited through simple random sampling method from the intensive care units of Imam Ali (AS), Khatamolanbia and Tamin Ejtemaei hospitals in Zahedan city. Patients were assigned into an experimental group (n=90) and a control group (n=90). The standardized Rose questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The education was effective on modifying life style of the patients with IHD. Statistical analysis indicated that the knowledge of the patients about heart diseases, life style, body mass index, blood triglyceride level, blood cholesterol level, blood sugar level and blood pressure in the experimental group was increased after education. The mean knowledge score of patients about modifying life style significantly differed after education between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Education is an effective approach in modifying the life style of patients with IHD. Therefore, it is suggested that education should be considered as an important program in the treatment of patients with IDH.