Cardiac risk factor changes through an intensive multifactorial life style modification program in CHD patients: Results from a two year follow up

Abstract

The aim of present study was to prevent cardiac risk factor deterioration following patient discharge from hospital. We devised a two year Intensive Multifactorial Lifestyle Modification Program. One hundred Coronary patients suffering from first heart attack were recruited and randomized to either intervention group consisting of exercise sessions, lifestyle counseling and telephone follow ups or a usual care group. Lifestyle, risk factors, knowledge and attitudes regarding both groups on the first year and second year were evaluated to asses the program outcome. In the first year, blood pressure, HDL-c, LDL-c, total cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting blood sugar of intervention participants demonstrated significant improvement than control patients. However, this trend for some risk factors (HDL-c, LDL-c, blood pressure) was not maintained to the second year indicating the deterioration of these factors. At the end of two year, the program exerted significant improvement in triglyceride, fasting blood sugar, body mass index, smoking cessation, weight, waist-to-hip ratio and some areas of lifestyle behaviors in intervention than control patients. Knowledge of intervention participants also demonstrated significant improvements than controls. The current two year intervention program resulted in modest changes at the end of program. Further studies in this regard are needed to help clarify the subject. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.