CORONARY RISK FACTOR MODIFICATION IN WOMEN AFTER CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-SURGERY

In a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-directed intervent ion designed to help patients decrease dietary intake of fat, quit of decrease smoking, and increase exercise, 138 women who underwent coron ary artery bypass surgery were randomized to receive special intervent ion (SI) or usual care (UC). The SI group received a behavioral progra m based on self-efficacy theory in the home 2 weeks after discharge wi th regular follow-up. The UC group received routine medical care. Risk factors and lifestyle behaviors were measured at baseline and 1 year after surgery in 116 (84%) women (SI = 59, UC = 57). The SI group decr eased their total fat intake from a mean of 38% of calories at baselin e to 35% at 1 year, while the UC group increased it from 36% to 38%. T he prevalence of smoking decreased from 24% at baseline to 8% at 1 yea r in the SI group and from 19% to 14% in the UC group. At follow-up, t he quit rate in those smoking at baseline was 64% in the SI group, wit h no new smokers, and 55% in the UC group, with three new smokers. Bot h groups reported improvement in exercise, with the proportion of wome n reporting participation in some form of regular exercise slightly hi gher in the SI group than in the UC group, 54% and 51%, respectively.