This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a brief educational intervention delivered in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on patients’ knowledge of sublingual nitroglycerin (SLN).

Patients (n=86) commencing CR were provided with a brief educational intervention tailored to deficits identified in an assessment of SLN knowledge using the Sublingual Nitroglycerin Questionnaire, with reassessment at the end of program completion (6–8 weeks).

The mean age of patients was 64.95 years (standard deviation (SD) 10.87); 74% were male, 78% were married and 60% had not completed high school. Most (70%) had no prior coronary heart disease (CHD) history and 80% had been referred to CR following percutaneous coronary intervention. SLN knowledge scores increased from baseline to outcome. Patients were significantly more likely to know: the name of their SLN medication (11% increase, p=0.001), the recommended timing between doses (29% increase, p=0.02), the maximum number of doses (27% increase, p=0.005), to have SLN on their person at the time of the interview (25% increase, p<0.001) and to know the interaction between SLN and sildenafil (36% increase, p=0.001). The independent predictors of SLN knowledge included having better knowledge at baseline (β=0.28) and having consulted a general practitioner post discharge and before commencing CR (β=1.48).

A brief standardised knowledge intervention, individually tailored to identified deficits in a knowledge screen and delivered during CR, shows promise for improving patient knowledge of SLNs. The role of general practitioners in delivering medication education needs further investigation.