LIFE-STYLE CHANGE IN WOMEN WITH CORONARY HEART-DISEASE - WHAT DO WE KNOW

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, yet few studies have specifically targeted wome n who have CHD, and still fewer have examined how behavior and psychos ocial factors affect lifestyle change. This article reviews what is kn own about lifestyle change, with an emphasis on psychosocial factors r elated to change, in women with CHD. Studies exploring individual life style improvement areas-exercise, nutrition, smoking, and social suppo rt-as well as studies of comprehensive lifestyle changes are reviewed. Strong conclusions were precluded because of the paucity of studies, widely variable and inconsistent findings, flawed methodologies, and i nadequate reporting of results. Future research is advised to develop and test intervention programs for women with CHD, addressing barriers to participation, lifestyle change patterns, psychosocial and quality of life outcomes, and physiologic change.