Table 2. Frequency of Heart Failure Patients Identifying the Correct Answer on Each Item of the Heart Failure Knowledge Questionnaire, N = 612.
| Correct Answer Identified |
|
|---|---|
| Items | N (%) |
| Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body |
546 (89.2) |
| A primary cause of symptoms for heart failure is too much fluid. | 424 (69.3) |
| You only need to weigh yourself once a week if you have heart failure | 426 (69.6) |
| Signs and symptoms of heart failure | |
| Puffy legs and feet | 562 (91.8) |
| Weight gain of 5 pounds in one week or less | 474 (77.5) |
| Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing | 596 (97.4) |
| Back pain | 401 (65.5) |
| Sharp chest pain | 104 (17) |
| Neck pain | 326 (53.3) |
| Dry, hacking cough | 265 (43.3) |
| Earache or ringing in ears | 496 (81) |
| Headache | 387 (63.2) |
| Heartburn/indigestion | 273 (44.6) |
| Needing extra pillows to sleep | 362 (59.2) |
| Slurred speech | 313 (51.1) |
| Swelling in the abdomen | 293 (47.9) |
| Fatigue | 550 (89.9) |
| Reason it is important to seek care as soon as possible when symptoms of heart failure appear |
576 (94.1) |
| Reason for keeping a daily diary of weight and symptoms when have heart failure |
556 (90.8) |
| What to do if you have signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure | 577 (94.3) |