Patient education significantly improves quality of life, exercise capacity and BNP level in stable heart failure patients

Abstract

Summary — The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of complex ambulatory education on quality of life, exercise capacity and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level in chronic stable heart failure patients.

Material and methods — Heart failure patients in NYHA class II/III (n = 31) on optimal medical treatment were recruited from the outpatient department.The following data were evaluated before and 2 months after the patient education: quality of life (evaluated by the Minnesota questionnaire), peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2) and BNP level.

Results — The mean general quality of life evaluation index (QoLES) decreased significantly in 2 months after the education (37.90 ± 18.78 versus 49.39 ± 17.86 prior to the education, P < 0.001), an improvement in quality of life. Peak exercise VO2 in 2 months after the tuition significantly increased (19.26 ± 7.22 versus baseline 16.25 ± 3.69 ml/kg/min; P = 0.013) as well as the anaerobic threshold (AT VO2 was 12.694 ± 3.28 ml/kg/min versus baseline 11.197 ± 2.47 ml/kg/min; P = 0.003).The indices reflecting external load also increased significantly: workload, duration of the exercise and METs. A significant proportion of the patients 2 months after the education moved to lower NYHA functional classes. Plasma BNP level decreased significantly in 2 months after the tuition: 224 ± 340.36 versus baseline 348.41 ± 471.99 ng/l; P = 0.023.

Conclusions— Patient education with the emphasis on adherence, self-care management and physical training has a reliable positive impact on the quality of life, exercise capacity and plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide in the population of stable moderate HF patients.

Key Words:

• Patient education
• heart failure
• exercise capacity
• quality of life
• B-type natriuretic peptide