Smoking behaviour of patients undergoing cardiac surgery

Investigate smoking behaviour and opinions on tobacco use in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

In this descriptive study, 200 patients were preoperatively asked to complete a questionnaire on their 'smoking habits'. Smoking behaviour, smoking cessation, tobacco and health, smoking in hospital and smoking after the operation were the main subjects. Eighty percent of the questionnaires (161 patients) could be used in the study. The total group was divided into three groups: group A: patients smoking at the moment of hospitalisation, group B: patients who had stopped smoking and group C: patients who had never smoked.

There is a difference in the answers between the three groups. For most patients the relation between tobacco use and cardiovascular disease is not clear; there is obviously an information gap. More than 50% of the patients do not agree with smoking in hospital, not even in 'smokers rooms'. Most patients have the intention of stopping smoking after their heart operation. This is an individual decision and support seems minimal.

This study confirms that the relation between smoking and cardiovascular diseases is not clear for many cardiac patients. Hospitalisation can be a good moment for smoking cessation, but support is necessary.