My family medical history and me: feasibility results of a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a behaviorally focused intervention designed to increase perceived cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in young adults with a family history (FH) of CVD/CHD.


METHODS
Single group, pre-post-test design. Fifteen, mostly female (n = 13, 86.7%), White, young adults (mean age 20.8 years) with a minimum of a high school education with a FH of CVD/CHD.


METHODS
Feasibility examined the recruitment strategy, study procedures, appropriateness and quality of the study instruments, and problems that occurred during delivery of the intervention. Acceptability examined participants' engagement in the in person sessions and at home exercises and their feedback about the intervention.


METHODS
Two, in person sessions provided personalized, tailored messages about 10-year and lifetime CHD risk based on risk factors, FH from a three-generation pedigree, lipid levels, blood pressure, and smoking status, and brief counseling about how to engage in a healthy lifestyle to decrease CVD/CHD risk.


RESULTS
The intervention was feasible and acceptable. Participants requested more information on healthy food choices, including which foods to avoid and which exercises most improve cardiovascular health.


CONCLUSIONS
Although requiring refinement, the intervention has potential public health implications and deserves further testing.
Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Christopher C
CC
Imes
School of Nursing, Family and Child Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Frances M
FM
Lewis
School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Melissa A
MA
Austin
School of Nursing, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Cynthia M
CM
Dougherty
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
cardiovascular diseases; family history; feasibility study; health behaviors; health promotion