Weight-loss is most successful in heart attack survivors when partners participate in the effort to diet plan, according to research provided today at ESC Congress 2020.
Lifestyle improvement after a heart attack is a crucial part of preventing repeat events, said study author Ms. Lotte Verweij, a registered nurse and PhD student, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands. Our study shows that when spouses join the effort to change habits, patients have a better chance of becoming healthier particularly when it comes to losing weight.
The RESPONSE-2 trial previously found that heart attack survivors referred to programs for weight reduction, physical activity, and cigarette smoking cessation were more likely to customize behaviors compared to those getting usual care. In both groups, dealing with a partner was linked with higher success in moving bad habits. The most significant enhancements remained in patients who took part in lifestyle programs and coped with a partner.
This follow-up study examined whether partner involvement in way of life programs had an impact on behavior modification. If partners contribute to adopting healthy habits, it could become an important recommendation to avoid recurrent heart attacks, explained Ms. Verweij.
A total of 824 patients were randomly appointed to the intervention group (way of life programs on top of normal care) or control group (normal care alone).
This analysis focused on the 411 patients in the intervention group, who were referred to approximately 3 way of life programmes for weight reduction, physical activity, and smoking cessation depending upon their needs and preferences. Partners might attend totally free and nurses encouraged them to take part. Partner participation was specified as attending a minimum of when.
Nearly half (48%) of partners participated in the way of life interventions. Compared to those without a partner, patients with a participating partner were more than twice as most likely (chances ratio 2.45) to enhance in a minimum of among the three areas (weight loss, exercise, smoking cigarettes cessation) within a year.
When the impact of partners was evaluated on the 3 areas separately, patients with a getting involved partner were most successful in lowering weight compared to clients without a partner (chances ratio 2.71).
Patients with partners who joined the weight loss programme lost more weight compared to patients with a partner who did not join the programme, said Ms. Verweij.
She continued: Couples often have comparable lifestyles and changing habits is difficult when only one person is making the effort. Practical issues come into play, such as grocery shopping, but also psychological challenges, where a supportive partner may help maintain motivation.
Ms. Verweij noted that the research study did not find more improvement in cigarette smoking cessation or physical activity when partners actively took part. These lifestyle issues might be more subject to individual motivation and persistence, but this hypothesis needs more investigation, she said.
Note: Three way of life programmeswere used in their existing format:
1) Weight loss: weekly group sessions with a Weight Watchers coach for one year.
2) Exercise: accelerometer to measure activity and an online coach for personalised feedback for one year (Philips Direct Life).
3) Smoking cessation: inspirational speaking with by telephone by qualified experts from Luchtsignaal for three months plus prescription of nicotine replacement or varenicline therapy as suitable.
Originally posted here:
Weight loss is most successful when partners join in the process - Drew Reports News
