PERCEPTION, KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AMONG PATIENTS PRESENTING TO RAWALPINDI INSTITUTE OF CARDIOLOGY: A TERTIARY CARE CARDIAC FACILITY

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perception, knowledge and awareness among patients attending the outpatient
department of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology.
Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology from July to
December 2014.
Material and Methods: Overall 145 patients attending the outpatient department of Rawalpindi Institute of
Cardiology were enrolled in the survey. Patients of age ≤20 years and ≥80 years, health care professionals and
students were excluded. Semi-structured questionnaire was filled for each participant.
Results: One hundred and eighteen (81.4%) patients were aware of the fact that coronary artery disease was
curable but only 88 (60.8%) of patients were aware that it could be prevented. Only 52 (35.9%) of the people
correctly said that it was caused by the blockade of the coronary arteries and strangely 25 (17.2%) answered
that it was due to some valvular problem.
Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge among the common masses regarding the causation, risk factors,
and treatment of coronary artery disease