Table 2 Description of study population (N = 1525)
Variables | Mean (SD±) or n (%) |
|---|---|
Gender: | |
Female | 818 (53.6%) |
Male | 707 (46.4%) |
Age | 57.6 (±14.6) |
Referral indication given by the general practitioner: | |
Atypical chest pain | 630 (41.3%) |
Dyspnoea | 202 (13.2%) |
Heart palpitations | 192 (12.6%) |
Abnormal ECG | 103 (6.8%) |
Cardiac screening | 102 (6.7%) |
Reduced exercise capacity | 67 (4.4%) |
Collapse | 60 (3.9%) |
Stable Angina Pectoris | 55 (3.6%) |
Suspected arrhythmia | 32 (2.1%) |
Suspected heart failure | 31 (2.0%) |
Heart murmur | 25 (1.6%) |
Suspected coronary sclerosis | 16 (1.0%) |
Analyses of atrial fibrillation | 10 (0.7%) |
Reason for referral given by the general practitioner | |
To exclude disease | 1193 (81.4%) |
Screening of unclear pathology | 132 (8.7%) |
To confirm disease | 78 (5.1%) |
To reassure the patient | 67 (4.4%) |
Checking the unknown | 29 (1.9%) |
Upon patient request | 20 (1.3%) |
Upon specialist advice or request | 6 (0.4%) |
Advice given by the cardiologist after PC+: | |
Follow-up in primary care setting | 1173 (76.9%) |
Follow-up in hospital care setting | 352 (23.1%) |