TITLE:
Modalities of Prescription of Regular Physical Activity by Cardiologists in the Management of Hypertensive Patients at the Institute of Cardiology of Abidjan
AUTHORS:
Koffi Djinguin, Manou Koffi Benjamin, Angoran Ines, Ekou Arnaud, Tanoh Micesse, Kramoh Euloge
KEYWORDS:
Knowledge, Physician, Regular Physical Activity, Hypertensive Patient, Institute of Cardiology of Abidjan
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
23,
2021
ABSTRACT: Introduction-Objective: The clinical management of hypertension is well codified. It is based on drug and non-drug therapies, including regular physical activity. The aim was to evaluate the knowledge of physicians on the importance of regular physical activity (RPA) in the care of hypertensive patients at the Institute of Cardiology of Abidjan (ICA). Material and Methods: That was a prospective and descriptive study carried out from July 20, 2019 to September 7, 2019 at the Outpatient Department of the ICA. Our study population consisted of 32 physicians from the Outpatient Department of the ICA. To achieve our goal, we developed a questionnaire for the physicians, which included seventeen items related to the socio-occupational characteristics, to the level of knowledge of hypertension, to the attitudes and the practices in the management of hypertension, and to the factors limiting the accessibility to the practice of a physical activity. Results: The majority of the health professionals in our study were men (62.50%). Among 32 physicians, 56.25% were cardiologists and 75% had a seniority in position of 1 to 4 years. 81.25% of the physicians responded that the hypertensive patients could not only benefit from non-drug means. The suggestion of a complementary physical activity (jogging and brisk walking) to the hypertension treatment was found 137.5 times. Jogging and brisk walking were the main types of physical activity which were suggested to patients. All the physicians responded 3 times per week when they were asked about the frequency of activities proposed for the clinical management of patients with hypertension. Regarding the medical prescription on the type, frequency, and duration of RPA to patients, there was some discrepancy, although the majority of healthcare professionals recommended brisk walking and jogging. Their responses for a 60-minute physical activity were prevalent in 37.5% of cases. Regular physical activity ranked third in the management of the hypertensive patients. Nevertheless, all respondents proposed drug treatment associated with hygienic-dietary measures. 93.75% of health workers initially considered the physical condition of patients before they prepared them for the physical activity. The respondents regularly regarded the physical condition of the patient to evaluate the practice or not of an RPA at a frequency of 24 times in 57.89% of the cases. 93.75% of them confirmed that there was a positive relationship between the practice of the RPA and the improvement of the patient’s clinical state. Conclusion: The knowledge of physical activity and its benefits on the organism remains a problem for its application even though the health professionals know its positive impact on the prevention and the treatment of hypertension.