title: Reducing cardiovascular risk in spouses of cardiac patients: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Few studies have examined risk-reducing interventions in spouses of coronary artery bypass patients. This study examined the effects of the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) intervention versus usual care on cardiovascular risk factors. Spouses in the experimental group (n = 17/group) attended cardiac rehabilitation with patients and made the same physical activity and healthy eating changes as patients. Spouses in the usual care group attended educational classes with patients. Spouses' 30-year cardiovascular risk was calculated using the Lifetime Risk Scale before and after cardiac rehabilitation (3 months), and at 6 months. Spouses in both groups significantly reduced 30-year risk scores at 3 and 6 months. Exercise was the key ingredient in lowering risk. There was a trend toward reduction in systolic blood pressure and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both groups. Although there were no group differences, having spouses participate in cardiac rehabilitation with the patient was effective for reducing spouses' cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA bcyates@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Bernice C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.affiliation: The Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kupzyk
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, USA.
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shurmur
authors.affiliation: Nebraska Methodist Hospital, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tesina
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D018454:Spouses
keywords: cardiac rehabilitation; coronary heart disease; couple-focused intervention; exercise; risk factors