Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of mortality in the world. Peripheral arterial disease occurs because of the narrowing of the peripheral artery, most commonly of the lower extremities. Stenosis is caused by the same risk factors as the narrowing of the coronary arteries. Peripheral arterial disease usually develops slowly and is asymptomatic for a long time. Like in developed countries, disease is diagnosed too late in Slovenia too. Peripheral arterial disease is one of the most common consequences of atherosclerosis, followed by coronary artery disease. Purpose: With the questionnaire we wanted to find out level of knowledge about the risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease among patients with coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease, as they share the same basic cause of atherosclerosis, the same treatment approaches and the same risk factors. We have examined whether there are differences between groups. In patients with peripheral arterial disease, we wanted to find out how they obtain information about the disease, since they do not have the same opportunities of getting information or planned health education as do patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: For the master's thesis we used a descriptive method of work with a cross-sectional study. We collected the data with a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions, divided into 4 content sets, on nutrition, methods of treatment, physical exercise and on the risk factors for the onset of atherosclerosis. In the fifth part, patients with a peripheral arterial disease were asked questions about the source of information on the disease. The population was represented by 37 patients with peripheral arterial disease who came to elective treatment in the hospital and 46 patients with coronary artery disease who attended phase II rehabilitation after a heart attack, and they were interviewed on the first day. Results: Knowledge of patients with peripheral arterial disease is higher than the knowledge of patients with coronary artery disease, both in considering all the questions and in the set of questions about the risk factors for the onset of atherosclerosis. Information on their illness is obtained from health care staff n = 45–77% of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Discussion and conclusion: In the study, we demonstrated better knowledge of patients with peripheral arterial disease and poorer knowledge of patients with coronary artery disease on atherosclerosis and risk factors for atherosclerosis. The work of the nurse for the health education of patients with peripheral arterial disease and coronary artery disease was shown through research as the need and key to the empowerment of patients.
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