<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of the REALITY Latvia survey was to accumulate information about treated stable angina outpatients regarding their characteristics, heart rate (HR), treatment, and quality of life. Thirty cardiologists were involved with 1-15 patients each. In total, data about 300 patients were obtained. Patients were examined and questioned during one visit. A high HR was defined above 70 beats per minute (bpm), in accordance to recent evidence. Mean HR was 70.3 ± 11.3 bpm and 45% of patients had HR above 70 bpm. The opinion of practitioners regarding HR differed. For example, a HR level within the range 70-80 bpm was perceived by cardiologists as "normal", "borderline high" and "high". The mean target HR that physicians wanted to achieve was 60.1 ± 4.7 bpm. Beta blockers were used in 91% of cases. The more widely used beta blockers were metoprolol (47%) and bisoprolol (35%) in mean daily doses 69.7 ± 30.1 mg and 5.3 ± 2.0 mg, respectively. REALITY Latvia data suggest that, despite wide use of beta blockers, HR control in stable angina patients is insufficient. This is caused by insufficient understanding of HR as a treatment target by physicians and use of beta blockers in suboptimal dosages.</p></abstract>

The aim of the REALITY Latvia survey was to accumulate information about treated stable angina outpatients regarding their characteristics, heart rate (HR), treatment, and quality of life. Thirty cardiologists were involved with 1-15 patients each. In total, data about 300 patients were obtained. Patients were examined and questioned during one visit. A high HR was defined above 70 beats per minute (bpm), in accordance to recent evidence. Mean HR was 70.3 ± 11.3 bpm and 45% of patients had HR above 70 bpm. The opinion of practitioners regarding HR differed. For example, a HR level within the range 70-80 bpm was perceived by cardiologists as "normal", "borderline high" and "high". The mean target HR that physicians wanted to achieve was 60.1 ± 4.7 bpm. Beta blockers were used in 91% of cases. The more widely used beta blockers were metoprolol (47%) and bisoprolol (35%) in mean daily doses 69.7 ± 30.1 mg and 5.3 ± 2.0 mg, respectively. REALITY Latvia data suggest that, despite wide use of beta blockers, HR control in stable angina patients is insufficient. This is caused by insufficient understanding of HR as a treatment target by physicians and use of beta blockers in suboptimal dosages.

Current state of angina treatment in the outpatient population and heart rate monitoring survey in Latvia (RELITY LATVIA)

Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, Rīga, LV-1017, LATVIA

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Pilsoņu iela 13, Rīga, LV-1002, LATVIA

Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Raina bulv. 19, Rīga, LV-1586, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

The aim of the REALITY Latvia survey was to accumulate information about treated stable angina outpatients regarding their characteristics, heart rate (HR),...

Current state of angina treatment in the outpatient population and heart rate monitoring survey in Latvia (RELITY LATVIA)

Published Online: Aug 09, 2011

Page range: 194 - 201

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-011-0004-6

Keywords
angina, heart rate, antianginal treatment, outpatient

This content is open access.

Current state of angina treatment in the outpatient population and heart rate monitoring survey in Latvia (RELITY LATVIA)

Published Online: Aug 09, 2011

Page range: 194 - 201

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-011-0004-6

Keywordsangina, heart rate, antianginal treatment, outpatient

This content is open access.

Keywords
angina, heart rate, antianginal treatment, outpatient