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Adults with CHD and their quality of life: a single centre experience from Austria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 December 2024

Silvana M. Brunner Open the ORCID record for Silvana M. Brunner [Opens in a new window] ,
Raphael D. Oberhuber ,
Nathalie Heiligenbrunner ,
Clemens Steinwendner  and
Barbara Wichert-Schmitt
Silvana M. Brunner*
Affiliation:
Heart Center Linz, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
Raphael D. Oberhuber
Affiliation:
Heart Center Linz, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria Department of Inclusive Education, University of Education of Upper Austria, Linz, Austria
Nathalie Heiligenbrunner
Affiliation:
Heart Center Linz, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
Clemens Steinwendner
Affiliation:
Heart Center Linz, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
Barbara Wichert-Schmitt
Affiliation:
Heart Center Linz, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
*
Corresponding author: Silvana M. Brunner; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background:

The population of adult CHD patients is continuously increasing. The underlying CHD affects performance and prognosis, but also has a significant impact on quality of life, psychosocial behaviour, anxiety and emotional disturbances. This study analyzes these parameters of patients after one or more heart operations and the possible psychological effects of medical and psychosocial complications at the Department of Cardiology of the Kepler University Hospital Linz.

Methods and Results

A total of 81 subjects participated in the questionnaire survey of the Institute of Cardiology and Clinical Psychology during their annual cardiological check-up. Of these, 80 participants were included in the study and three showed a mild CHD, 49 a moderate one, and 28 a severe one. This study has an exploratory design to assess possible stress factors and limitations in quality of life. For this purpose, a self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire and three standardised questionnaires were used. In summary, the quality of life of adult CHD is considered depending on the severity of the symptoms and compared with the healthy population. Differences in this regard are observed in individuals with lower symptom severity, who report higher psychological well-being. Sex differences are observed in physical role function and physical functioning.

Conclusion:

Based on the results, regular repetitions of the study, as well as continuous psychological and psychosocial support, are necessary, since challenges are predictable with the increasing age of adult CHD patients and since the upholding of good quality of life and dealing with difficult life circumstances must be supported.

Keywords

quality of lifeadult CHDanxietydepression
Type
Original Article
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 35 , Issue 2 , February 2025 , pp. 368 - 373
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press

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