Readiness for Behavior Change in Patients Living With Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract

Background: Readiness for behavioral change may be evaluated by assessing the patient's stage of change, as described in the transtheoretical model. Identifying readiness to change in patients with ischemic heart disease may enhance the effectiveness of interventions that target risk reduction and lifestyle modification.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the readiness of patients with ischemic heart disease to change health behaviors as well as to identify the factors that significantly predict this change.

Methods: A descriptive correlation design approach was adopted, and a convenience sample of 122 patients with ischemic heart disease was recruited from an outpatient cardiac clinic. Readiness for behavioral change was evaluated by assessing the stages of change of the participants, as described in the transtheoretical model. Data on readiness to change were collected using the "readiness for lifestyle change inventory."

Results: A total of 62.2% and 43.4% of the participants were in the precontemplation phase of change for "cease smoking" and "be physically active," respectively; about 33% of the patients were in the maintenance phase for "control weight"; 36.1% were in the maintenance phase for "reduce consumption of high-fat foods"; and 51.6% and 57.4% were in the maintenance phase for "eat fruits and vegetables" and "practice relaxation," respectively. Participants who were overweight or obese showed higher readiness to practice physical activity, and those with high cholesterol levels showed a higher readiness to reduce the amount of fat in their diet. Higher income was found to predict higher readiness to eat fruits and vegetables.

Conclusions: Patients are not adequately ready to change their health-related behaviors. Higher cardiovascular risk predicts higher readiness to change health behaviors.