Aim

The aim of the study is to assess the degree of acceptance of the disease and the risk of significant deterioration in health, functional capacity, or death within the next two years in relation to demographic data among patients qualified for cardiac pacemaker implantation.

Material and methods

The study was conducted in a group of 211 individuals aged over 65 years se who were qualified for cardiac pacemaker implantation. The subjects were selected from among patients treated at the Department of Interventional Cardiology and Heart Rhythm Disorders of the University Teaching Hospital No. 2 , Medical University of Lodz.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 78 years. The majority of the study group were women. The cohort was dominated by individuals with secondary or vocational education. The level of acceptance of the disease was higher among married than among single subjects. The risk of deterioration in health was highest among individuals over 85 years of age.

Conclusions

Acceptance of the disease was assessed best by younger individuals who declared themselves to be married. The risk of significant deterioration in health increased in patients qualified for cardiac pacemaker implantation with age. It was also higher among unmarried individuals and those with a lower level of education. The patient's gender and place of residence were not factors determining the acceptance of the disease and the risk of health deterioration. The elderly, often lonely after the death of their spouse, are a group of patients requiring special attention from primary health care staff.