[The effectiveness of cardiovascular education in the prevention of heart disease among the inhabitants of Lesser Poland].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Numerous risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are modifiable, therefore understanding their effects has a significant impact on lowering the incidence and mortality. The "Malopolska Cardiovascular Preventive Intervention Study (M-CARPI)" aims to educate the inhabitants of the voivodeship regarding preventative measures for developing CVD. The aim: To examine the effectiveness of the seminars regarding preventative measures for developing CVD according to the M-CAPRI among the inhabitants of Lesser Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: The seminars were carried out by a doctor with a specialization in cardiology, in the form of presentations, based on materials prepared by experts in accordance with European and Polish guidelines. Both initially and after the course, participants completed questionnaires regarding the subjects discussed. RESULTS: Results: The study covered 558 people (137 men, 411 women). The analysis was based on the sub-populations of retirees and non-retirees. The knowledge of risk factors was checked, the respondents most often indicated incorrect judgment of nutrition, physical activity and smoking (45.9%, 39%, 44.2% for non-retirees and 22.8%, 27.6%, 16.5% for retirees, respectively). A significant increase in the number of people who indicated individual risk factors after the training was found (p=0,047 for HDL level and for others). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Educating and creating awareness towards the prevention of CVD according to the M-CAPRI survey protocol is an effective tool for prevention. Due to the limited knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, it is necessary to carry out activities to raise awareness of the importance of cardiological disease prevention. Preventive interventions are equally effective regardless of age or profession.

Psychological correlates of patients' identity suffering from atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO).

BACKGROUND: The work presents a research project carried out in hospital with participation of 100 (50 female, 50 male) patients with congenital heart defects [atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO)]. The aim of the study was to identify specific personality traits of patients with congenital heart defects and to check the psychological functioning of patients by examining: the level of anxiety, impulsiveness, tendency to risk-taking, empathy, neuroticism, extraversion, psychoticism and lying. The presented results and their statistical analyses showed specific personality traits of patients with congenital heart defects. METHODS: The research was conducted by psychologist Adrianna Skoczek. We performed a psychological clinical assessment and conducted the psychological tests like Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Version [EPQ-R(S)] and Eysenck's Impulsivity Inventory (IVE) by Hans J. Eysenck and Sybil G. Eystenck, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) by C. D. Spielberger, R. L. Gorsuch, R. E. Lushene describing personality traits of patients. RESULTS: The level of extraversion was statistically significantly higher than the level of all other variables. The level of lies was significantly different from the level of psychoticism, which in turn was statistically significantly lower than all other. In the case of the examined women, statistically significant differences were found only between the level of psychoticism and all other analyzed variables. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted research shows that patients suffering from ASD or PFO have specific personality traits what allow to better understanding of suffering patients.