Hallmarks of preventive counseling in coronary heart disease patients with abdominal obesity

Abstract

Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and abdominal obesity (AO) are a priority group for the most active implementation of secondary prevention efforts. The paper focuses on most challenging issues of cardiovascular risk factors (RFs) correction via comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in patients with CHD and AO. Based on large randomized clinical trials results, intensive behavioral interventions in the form of counselling are beneficial for such patients especially during the long-term support stage. They produce small but important changes in health behaviors (which translate into weight reduction, more healthy nutrition and higher physical activity) and improve selected intermediate clinical endpoints.