Impulse for a Heart-healthy Lifestyle: Bridging the Intention-behaviour-gap at the Cardiology Ward

Abstract

Background: Most risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease are behaviour related and should be controlled i.e. by heart-healthy nutrition (NU) and physical activity (PA). To support patients to start with NU or PA brief activating health-psychological group interventions based on the Health-Action-Process-Approach (HAPA) were implemented on an acute cardiology ward. Methods: An intervention (IG) and a control group (CG) were assessed at baseline, two and six months including socio demographic variables, intentions and NU or PA behaviour prior to the hospital stay. Findings: In total 394 patients participated (NU: 63±10.8 years, IG: N=143/CG: N=58; PA: 63±9.2 years, IG: N=115/CG: N=78). From baseline to month 2 the NU-IG reported a significant increase in vegetable fat consumption (p<.05) and the PA-IG in general physical activity (p<.01), both compared to their respective CG. Six months after discharge the NU-IG consumed significantly more low fat food and fish (p<.05), the PA-IG and CG both increased their PA by nearly 50 min/week (p=ns). Discussion: The brief intervention was feasibly to be implemented in the acute care routine and is able to influence some lifestyle changing aspects.