Improving the lifestyle and heart health of siblings and offspring of patients who had a heart attack before the age of 55 in men or the age of 65 in women

Abstract

Smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise are associated with obesity, poor blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol control, all being risk factors that lead to coronary heart disease. However, if lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are modified, there might be a substantial decrease in coronary heart disease risk. If people are screened and identified, this will provide an opportunity for prevention to take place before the establishment of the disease, hence preventing or delaying the disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a preventive cardiology programme designed to promote risk reduction in a sample of relatives of patients with premature coronary heart disease.