Introduction:

Despite advances in treatment, heart failure is a chronic disease whose incidence increases with age. Hospitalizations for decompensation remain high, so it is crucial to prioritize strategies for self-management, such as teaching, monitoring and cardiac rehabilitation programs. To this end, this study aimed to verify the impact of the REPIC program on quality of life, level of knowledge and adherence to physical exercise.

Methodology:

Quantitative study with a before-after design of a single group carried out in a sample of 110 people with heart failure, who were submitted to a rehabilitation and health education program during hospitalization and telephonic follow-up, one month, six months and one year after clinical discharge.

Results and Discussion:

Most participants are male (66%), and the age range varies between 30 and 89, with an average of 64.3 years and a standard deviation of 14.4. Data analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in knowledge about the disease, as well as in the perception of quality of life in the dimensions mobility, personal care, usual activities and general level of health (p=0.01). The increase in physical exercise time after the REPIC program was confirmed with a statistically significant result [t (109)=6.03; p=0.019]. The obtained results demonstrate the benefits of health education and telephone nursing follow-up, namely the improvement in the level of knowledge about the disease, in the quality of life and in the adherence to physical exercise.

Conclusion:

The REPIC program made it possible to reinforce the educational process, enhance self-management behaviors, improve quality of life and increase the duration of physical exercise.

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