Health behavior goals of cardiac patients after hospitalization.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the types and influences of health behavior goals self-selected by post hospitalized cardiac patients.


METHODS
Subjects participated in a trial assessing the effectiveness of a health behavior change program.


RESULTS
Nearly 95% of smokers and 89.7% of patients with elevated weights selected a smoking and/or dietary modification goal, respectively. Only 43.8% of physical activity goal patients started a rehabilitation program. Although no consistent relationships were found between patient characteristics and type of goal(s) selected, significant improvements in readiness to change levels occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Many patients can make health behavior progress consistent with behaviors needing improvements by clinical criteria.
Holtrop
Jodi Summers
JS
Department of Family Practice, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA. jodi.holtrop@hc.msu.edu
Corser
William
W
Jones
Gregory
G
Brooks
Gary
G
Holmes-Rovner
Margaret
M
Stommel
Manfred
M
D001294:Attitude to Health; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003710:Demography; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015438:Health Behavior; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors