Table 2.
Disease and medication characteristics of the study participants (n = 427)
| Variables | n (%) | Mean (SD a) |
|---|---|---|
| Disease related | ||
| Duration of heart failure (years) | 6.41 (± 6.16) | |
| Number of other chronic diseases | 3 (± 1) | |
| NYHA b classification | ||
| I/II | 130 (30.4) | |
| III/IV | 298 (69.6) | |
| Type of comorbidities | ||
| Hypertension | 330 (77.1) | |
| Diabetes Mellitus | 262 (61.2) | |
| Ischemic Heart Diseases | 275 (64.3) | |
| Dyslipidemia | 142 (33.2) | |
| Chronic Kidney Disease | 56 (13.1) | |
| Thyroid Dysfunction | 36 (8.4) | |
| Heart failure medications | ||
| Aldosterone Antagonist | 81 (18.9) | |
| Digoxin | 46 (10.7) | |
| ACEIs c/ARBs d | 286 (66.8) | |
| Beta blocker | 379 (88.6) | |
| Loop diuretic | 289 (67.5) | |
| Vasodilator | 79 (18.5) | |
| Calcium Channel Blocker | 81 (18.9) | |
| Ivabradine | 20 (4.7) | |
| Valsartan/ Sacubitril | 31 (7.2) | |
| Other medications | ||
| Anticoagulant | 148 (34.6) | |
| Statin | 303 (70.8) | |
| Number of Medications | 8 (± 3) | |
| Number of heart failure medications | 3 (± 1) | |
| Medications frequency | ||
| Once | 78 (18.2) | |
| Twice | 249 (58.2) | |
| Thrice or more | 101 (23.6) | |
| Fear of medications’ side effects | ||
| No | 305 (71.3) | |
| Yes | 123 (28.7) | |
| Medications satisfaction | ||
| No | 97 (22.7) | |
| Yes | 331 (77.3) | |
| Experiencing side effects | ||
| No | 291 (68) | |
| Yes | 137 (32) |
a Standard deviation; b The New York Heart Association Classification; c Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; d Angiotensin-receptor blockers