[What information do elderly patients with heart failure have about their treatment?].

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure is one of the leading cause of hospital admission because of the lack of adherence to treatment of these patients. This study was designed to know patients knowledge about heart failure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 75 patients admitted in ward with the diagnosis of heart failure were asked about the illness and the treatment they took.

RESULTS: Patients considered weight gain, dyspnea and edemas a cause of consultant to their doctors (99%). They understood as necessary the weight control to their stabilization (82%). One half of the interviewed did not consider important the control of diuresis and water ingestion. Most of the patients thought that mild physical exercise and sodium restriction could improve their physical status (85% and 100% respectively). 24% of the patients considered they could use any kind of non steroid anti-inflammatory drug. 79% of the patients knew the diuretic effect of furosemida and 70% the cardiologic effect of digoxina, all thought only just 46% recognized the use of angiotensin converse enzyme inhibitors for heart failure and blood pressure. The adverse events of these drugs were unknown (56%, 65% and 80% respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with heart failure had poor information about dietary and medical treatment. This could explain the problems their have for the optimal use of effective medication, being poor patients adherence to pharmacologic and dietary therapy a common cause of exacerbation. It would be necessary to increase patients information to avoid heart failure progression and descompensation.