Public health General public awareness of heart failure: results of questionnaire survey during Heart Failure Awareness Day 2011

Abstract

IntroductionGeneral public views about heart failure (HF) alone and in comparison with other chronic conditions are largely unknown; thus we conducted this survey to evaluate general public awareness about HF and HF disease burden relative to common chronic disease.Material and methodsThis was a cross-sectional survey during European Heart Failure Awareness Day 2011. People visiting the stands and other activities in 12 Slovenian cities were invited to complete a 14-item questionnaire.ResultsThe analysis included 850 subjects (age 56 ±15 years, 44% men, 55% completed secondary education or higher). Overall, 83% reported to have heard about HF, 58% knew someone with HF, and 35% believed that HF is a normal consequence of ageing. When compared to other chronic diseases, HF was perceived as less important than cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke and diabetes with only 6%, 12%, 7%, and 5% of subjects ranking HF as number 1 in terms of prevalence, cost, quality of life, and survival. A typical patient with HF symptoms was recognized by 30%, which was comparable to the description of myocardial ischemia (33%) and stroke (39%). Primary care physicians (53%) or specialists (52%) would be primary sources of information about HF. If experiencing HF, 83% would prefer their care to be focused on quality of life rather than on survival (14%).ConclusionsMany participants reported to have heard about heart failure but the knowledge was poor and with several misbeliefs. Heart failure was perceived as less important than several other chronic diseases, where cancer appears as a main concern among the general public.

What does the lay public know about heart failure? Findings from the Heart Failure Awareness Day Initiative

“…Only about a third were aware of the particularly poor prognosis after a heart failure‐related hospitalization or they considered heart failure as a normal symptom of old age. This confirms earlier observations, and may reflect the attitude that older age will inevitably bring about a deterioration in general health. It was somewhat expected that the respondents more commonly considered obtaining additional information on the heart failure syndrome via a cardiologist or general practitioner.…”

“…This survey attempted to obtain information on heart failure awareness on a multinational level. Consistent with the large SHAPE survey conducted 10 years ago and a recent Slovenian survey, we confirmed the still unsatisfactory level of awareness and the continuing presence of several misconceptions about heart failure in the community. In our sample, 60% were older than 60 years, thus representing the population group that carries a higher risk of developing heart failure.…”

“…Since then, up to 30 countries regularly organize activities on a national level in May each year. Information on the level of awareness among the lay public regarding clinical signs and symptoms of heart failure, importance of early diagnosis, targeted treatment, beliefs, and misconceptions is scarce, but is essential to inform health policy‐makers, enable healthcare providers to identify ongoing needs and deficits, and to tailor future educational strategies.…”

Heart failure awareness: a cross-sectional study on misconceptions and educational opportunities

“…Although 79% of Lithuanian respondents had previous knowledge about HF, only 26% of respondents correctly identified symptoms of HF. Comparing our results to other studies, there are many similarities among respondents in terms of knowing about HF and correct identification of typical complaints and symptoms of HF from its clinical description: 86% and 3% in SHAPE study (2002) [3], 72% and 36% in Germany (2012) [19], 83% and 30% in Slovenia (2011) [4], respectively. SHAPE was conducted in 2002 and reported the lowest numbers of respondents who knew all three main symptoms of HF.…”

“…Information on the level of awareness among the general population in different countries regarding clinical signs and symptoms of HF, im-portance of early diagnosis, targeted treatment, beliefs and misconceptions is scarce [3][4][5].…”