Lifestyle Modification Program for Managing Hypercholesterolemia to Reduce Risk of Coronary heart diseases

Abstract

Background: High blood cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for developing coronary heart disease. The American Heart Association, recommend diet and lifestyle modification as the first line of defense against abnormal blood lipids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lifestyle modification program for managing hypercholesterolemia to reduce risk of coronary heart diseases. Design: A quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at the Cardiac Outpatient Clinic in Ain Shams University Hospital. Sampling: A purposive sample of 53 clients were included, according to the following criteria; middle aged adult clients, suffering from high lipids profile level since one year, who have recorded personal health data in the outpatient. Tools for data collection three tools were used, 1) An interviewing questionnaire which includes four parts; socio-demographic characteristics, medical record, client’s knowledge regarding hypercholesterolemia and client’s lifestyle practices. 2) Attitude Rating Scale; and 3) Physical assessment measurements. Results: The study showed, improvement in knowledge level of the clients with high lipids 34.0% changed to 79.2% post program, improvement in behavioral habits regarding nutrition, and physical activities. There were changes in blood lipids' level toward improvement from high level to desirable normal and borderline levels with Mean ± SD 0.15± 0.36. More than three quarter of clients had positive attitude toward hypercholesterolemia and lifestyle practices after program implementation. Conclusion: The study answered the research hypothesis stating that clients’ knowledge improved post program, clients’ behavioral habits related to nutrition and physical exercises improved as well, and there is highly statistically significant difference between pre / post program, also there is highly statistically significant difference of lipids level pre / post program. Recommendations: Continuing health educational programs to raise the health awareness and knowledge of adults about risk factors for heart diseases and encourage them to adopt a healthy dietary behavior, promote physical exercises and smoking cessation.