Precipitating factors of congestive heart failure in admitted patients of Fatemieh Hospital in Semnan, Iran

Introduction: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a pathophysiologic state in which an abnormality of cardiac function is responsible for the failure of the heart to pump blood at a commensurate rate with the requirements of the metabolizing tissues and/or allows it to do so only from an abnormally elevated diastolic volume. In this study, the prevalence of precipitating factors of CHF in Semnan, Iran is investigated. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on all CHF patients who were hospitalized from April 2002 to May 2003, in Fatemieh University Hospital of Semnan. A pre-designed questionnaire including demographic characteristics of the patients, drug consumption method, clinical and para clinical findings, and the final precipitating factor of their heart failure, was completed for all patients and the results were presented using descriptive methods. Results: A total of 248 patients containing 130 females (52.4%) and 118 males (47.6%) were investigated. The most prevalent intensification cause of congestive heart failure was lack of patients’ compliance in taking medicine and nutrition regimen. Uncontrolled hypertension in 32.2% of the cases and acute coronary syndrome in 23.4% of cases were the other most prevalent causes of CHF. Conclusion: It seems that educating patients about their medicine and diet regimen will reduce the exacerbation factors of heart failure