Evaluation of Symptoms and Predictors in Patients With Heart Failure in Turkey

In heart failure (HF) patients, the aim of treatment and care is to eliminate or alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life with successful symptom management, and reduce hospitalizations due to acute worsening. This study evaluated the frequency and magnitude of symptoms related to hospital admission in the case of HF patients and to determine sociodemographic and clinical features. The sample of the study consisted of 117 patients hospitalized in the cardiology department. The data were collected using the “patient interview form” and the “Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale–Heart Failure.” Numbers, percentages, means, and regression analysis were used in the analysis of data. The mean age of patients in the study was 68.60 ± 12.55 years, and 66.7% were male. Among the patients, 40.2% were diagnosed with HF 1 to 3 years ago. The patients had been hospitalized 1 to 3 times (42.7%) and for 3 to 5 days (63.2%) because of HF in the past year. The most common symptoms experienced by the patients were waking up breathless at night (82.1%), shortness of breath (81.2%), difficulty sleeping (77.8%), and fatigue (65.8%). Regression analysis revealed that marital status, smoking, a family history of heart disease, and sleeping regularly were the predictors of symptom burden (R = 0.607, R 2 = 0.368, F = 6.921, P = .000). In conclusion, patients experienced intense or severe symptoms such as pain, feeling bloated, worrying, problems with urination, swelling of the arms or legs, and difficulty breathing when lying flat. Patients are unable to cope with symptoms at home and cannot maintain self-care.