Effect of an intervention to improve the cardiovascular health of family members of patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized trial.

Background: Family members of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have higher risk of vascular events. We conducted a trial to determine if a family heart-health intervention could reduce their risk of CAD.

Methods: We assessed coronary risk factors and randomized 426 family members of patients with CAD to a family heart-health intervention (n = 211) or control (n = 215).

Healthy eating opinion survey for individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a questionnaire to measure intentions and beliefs about healthy eating in individuals at risk for coronary heart disease.

Method: The Healthy Eating Opinion Survey was developed using the theory of planned behavior. An open-ended elicitation questionnaire was administered to 21 participants, and a 46-item questionnaire was developed for further testing.

Neighbourhood walkability and physical activity among family members of people with heart disease who participated in a randomized controlled trial of a behavioural risk reduction intervention.

This study adds to the current literature investigating the relationship between individuals' physical activity (PA) and the built environment. Self-reported PA from a prospective behavioural risk reduction intervention was explored in the context of objectively measured Walk Score(®) and neighbourhood walkability in Ottawa, Canada. Participants in the intervention arm had significantly higher odds of meeting PA guidelines at 12-weeks compared to the standard care control group.

Gender differences in satisfaction with life in patients with coronary heart disease: physical activity as a possible mediating factor.

The objective of the present study was to examine if time varying, mediating effect of physical activity plays an important role in the gender-satisfaction with life relationship. Six hundred four male and 197 female patients were included. Principal outcomes of interest were self-report satisfaction with life and physical activity at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months.

A mixed methods study of continuity of care from cardiac rehabilitation to primary care physicians.

Background: Participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs results in multiple beneficial outcomes, including decreased morbidity and mortality. In Canada, the involvement of the primary care physician post-CR should increase the likelihood of sustaining the benefits achieved by CR and enhance the continuity of care that cardiac patients receive.

Objectives: To identify and describe information that is transferred from CR programs to primary care physicians in discharge summaries, and to assess the usefulness of such information from the perspective of the primary care physician.

Sex differences in attitudes and experiences concerning smoking and cessation: results from an international survey.

Objective: Males and females may have different attitudes and experiences concerning smoking and smoking cessation. We examined sex differences in reasons for smoking, motivations for quitting, past quit attempts, and types of cessation support provided by physicians by surveying randomly selected smokers from 16 countries.

Methods: Current cigarette smokers were surveyed by telephone about their attitudes and experiences regarding smoking and smoking cessation.

Smoking cessation: lessons learned from clinical trial evidence.

Purpose Of Review: Cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke cause coronary heart disease. Cessation dramatically reduces the incidence of primary and secondary cardiac events. The review presents up-to-date information regarding nicotine dependence, recent findings related to its treatment, and recommendations for addressing smoking cessation for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Who will be active? Predicting exercise stage transitions after hospitalization for coronary artery disease.

We describe transitions between exercise stages of change in people with coronary artery disease (CAD) over a 6-month period following a CAD-related hospitalization and evaluate constructs from Protection Motivation Theory, Theory of Planned Behavior, Social Cognitive Theory, the Ecological Model, and participation in cardiac rehabilitation as correlates of stage transition. Seven hundred eighty-two adults hospitalized with CAD were recruited and administered a baseline survey including assessments of theory-based constructs and exercise stage of change. Mailed surveys were used to gather information concerning exercise stage of change and participation in cardiac rehabilitation 6 months later.

Continuity of cardiac care: cardiac rehabilitation participation and other correlates.

Background: Continuity of care refers to the ongoing management of a patient's care over time and across practitioners, and the patient's experience of this care as coherent and consistent with their medical needs and context. Continuity of cardiac care is integral to secondary prevention and improved health outcomes.

Design: This study examined patient perceptions of continuity, and how they relate to cardiac rehabilitation participation and other correlates.