title: Effects of a Health-Partner Intervention on Cardiovascular Risk.
abstract: Lifestyle modifications are first-line measures for cardiovascular disease prevention. Whether lifestyle intervention also preserves cardiovascular health is less clear. Our study examined the role of a Health Partner-administered lifestyle intervention on metrics of ideal cardiovascular health.
  
  
  
  A total of 711 university employees (48±11 years; 66% women, 72% Caucasian/22.5% African Americans) enrolled in a program that promoted healthier lifestyles at Emory University (Atlanta, GA). Anthropometric, laboratory, and physical activity measurements were performed at baseline and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years of follow-up. Results were utilized by the Health Partner to generate a personalized plan aimed at meeting ideal health metrics. Compared to baseline, at each of the 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up visits, systolic blood pressure was lower by 3.6, 4.6, and 3.3 mm Hg (P<0.001), total cholesterol decreased by 5.3, 6.5, and 6.4 mg/dL (P<0.001), body mass index declined by 0.33, 0.45, and 0.38 kg/m2(P<0.001), and the percentage of smokers decreased by 1.3%, 3.5%, and 3.5% (P<0.01), respectively. Changes were greater in those with greater abnormalities at baseline. Finally, the American Heart Association "Life's Simple 7" ideal cardiovascular health score increased by 0.28, 0.40, and 0.33 at 6 month, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, compared to baseline visit.
  
  
  
  A personalized, goal-directed Health Partner intervention significantly improved the cardiometabolic risk profile and metrics of cardiovascular health. These effects were evident at 6 months following enrollment and were sustained for 2 years. Whether the Health Partner intervention improves long-term morbidity and mortality and is cost-effective needs further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ibhar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al Mheid
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Heval Mohamed
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kelli
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Yi-An
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hammadah
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Hina
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayek
authors.affiliation: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Viola
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vaccarino
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.affiliation: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lampl
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: R Wayne
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brigham
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Predictive Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Greg S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.affiliation: Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA Predictive Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA aquyyum@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Arshed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Quyyumi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000572:American Heart Association; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D040441:Health Educators; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: cardiovascular risk; health education; health partner; lifestyle; prevention