Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Many diseases can be prevented by providing preventive health services in primary care. Particularly, primary care physicians have an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, which are the most common cause of death in the society. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the risk factors for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation and the status of receiving preventive health care for coronary artery disease in primary care and the risk factors for CABG operation.
Materials and Methods: The study, which was planned in a cross-sectional descriptive design, included 151 CABG patients and 167 healthy individuals. The information form examining the healthcare status and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients for the prevention of coronary artery disease was applied to the patients by face-to-face interview technique.
Results: In the study, it was found that the patients who had CABG surgery received more information about the coronary damage of smoking and alcohol, the coronary benefits of healthy nutrition, weight control and the use of acetylsalicylic acid compared to the healthy control group. It was also found that CABG patients were more frequently checked for blood pressure, lipid and blood sugar in primary care. It was found that advanced age, male gender, Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus diagnoses and not exercising increased the risk of CABG operation.
Conclusion: It is very important to expand the preventive services of people in primary healthcare institutions for coronary artery disease and to develop strategies that will increase the knowledge and experience of primary care physicians. It should not be forgotten that the life expectancy of patients is prolonged by making coronary risk assessments of patients in primary care and directing patients to treatment early when necessary.

Key words: Primary care, preventive, coronary risk, health