The impact of self-care education on life expectancy in acute coronary syndrome patients

Acute coronary syndrome is one of heart problems in Iran and the first known cause of death. The present study aimed at assessing the effect of self-care education on life expectancy in acute coronary syndrome patients in the cardiology ward of Valieasr hospital in Birjand. This clinical-experimental study was done on 60 patients admitted to the cardiology ward of Valieasr Hospital in Birjand. Sampling was done using non-probabilistic method and the subjects were selected from acute coronary syndrome patients who were randomly divided into a case and a control group. On dismissal (from the hospital) the cases received self-care education by a trained nurse who also followed up the education through telephone calls. In the control group no interventions were made. Data collection means included individual sample form، demographic questionnaire and HRS index، which were all filled out both before and after intervention in both groups. The obtained data was fed into SPSS software (V: 15) and were analysed at the significant level a=0. 05 using statistical tests including x2، independent T، and dependent T. Mean life expectancy mark in the cases increased from 23. 6±2. 5 (before intervention) to 33. 4±1. 4 (after intervention); P<0. 001. However، in the controls no significant changes occurred (22. 8 vs 22. 4). Besides، in all three domains of life expectancy a significant increase was observed in the cases after intervention، compared to before. Hospitalized acute coronary syndrome patients have a lower levels of life expectancy. Their life expectancy can increase through providing them with self-care education، which will lead to their independence promotion and self-esteem.