[Secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease. A questionnaire study and suggestions to improved cooperation...

The aim of the present study was to examine the extent of secondary prophylaxis in patients following hospitalization under the diagnosis of ischaemic heart (IHD). Our data were based on hospital records and questionnaires sent to patients admitted to the Cardiological Department, Frederiksberg Hospital, under the diagnosis of IHD during the first six months of 1996. One hundred and twenty-five patients were included, of these 106 answered the questionnaire. We found that overall patients were insufficiently treated with aspirin, beta-blockers and antilipidaemic agents. Measures to reduce smoking and to increase physical exercise were sparse. We concluded that secondary intervention instituted from the Cardiological Department in question was not up to generally agreed standards. Suggestions to improve secondary prophylaxis in patients with IHD are presented. The importance of increased co-operation between hospital, general practitioner and patient is emphasized. A patient-born record designed for this purpose is presented.