Knowledge Questionnaire
| 1. Coronary artery disease is cause by plaques (deposits) that block the blood vessels which surround and supply the heart muscle (the coronary arteries). |
| 2. Coronary artery disease does not cause serious complications such as heart attack or death. |
| 3. Coronary artery disease itself can be cured by a number of treatments including angioplasty and bypass surgery. |
| 4. Most patients who choose ongoing medical therapy alone are often able to discontinue their medication after a few years. |
| 5. Medical therapy is almost always successful in completely relieving angina. |
| 6. By choosing medical therapy now, a person will be unable to have either bypass surgery or angioplasty in the future. |
| 7. Possible side effects from medical therapy include fatigue, headache, decreased concentration, and sexual dysfunction. |
| 8. During surgery the blocked coronary arteries are bypassed, commonly using blood vessels from the leg and chest. |
| 9. Most patients who undergo bypass surgery are hospitalized for fewer than 5 days. |
| 10. Each treatment option carries with it some risk of stroke, heart attack, or death. |
| 11. After bypass surgery or antioplasty. “lifestyle” changes (e.g., diet, smoking cessation, regular exercise) are not as important as when medical therapy is used. |
| 12. If bypass surgery “works” and the patient has no angina 1 month later, this means that it is unlikely that the angina will ever return. |
| 13. When compared with medical therapy, bypass surgery has a higher risk of immediate complications (such as heart attack, stroke, or death). |
| 14. Bleeding requiring a blood transfusion may occur with bypass surgery. |
| 15. After bypass surgery, some patients experience difficulty concentrating and some memory loss, which usually resolves. |
| 16. Angioplasty is similar to an angiogram, but is a more complicated procedure which involves inflating a balloon to open up a blocked artery. |
| 17. If angioplasy “works” and the patient has no angina 1 month later, this means that it is unlikely that the angina will ever return. |
| 18. When compared with medical therapy, angioplasty has a higher risk of immediate complications (such as heart attack, stroke, or death). |
| 19. Some angioplasty patients may require repeat angioplasty or even bypass surgery in the future. |
| 20. Occasionally an artery can be damaged during angioplasty and emergency bypass surgery is required. |
| Response frame for questions 1 to 20 |
| 1. True 2. False 3. Don't know |
*Reduced to 15 items if angioplasty is not an option.