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. 2025 Apr 17;18(1):182.
doi: 10.1186/s13104-025-07169-4.

Why do patients with ischemic heart disease modify their lifestyle? a qualitative study : Motivations for lifestyle modification after IHD

Naser Javadi  1 , Mansour Dianati  2 , Mohsen Taghadosi  3
Affiliations

Why do patients with ischemic heart disease modify their lifestyle? a qualitative study : Motivations for lifestyle modification after IHD

Naser Javadi et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Objective: Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a major cause of death worldwide, particularly in low- to middle-income nations, such as Iran. Lifestyle modification (LSM) (e.g., healthy nutritional patterns, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and stress management) can prevent the development of IHD. This study aimed to identify the motivations behind LSM in patients with IHD.

Results: This qualitative study employed traditional content analysis and purposive sampling from cardiac rehabilitation (CR) centers in Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman steps, conducted from October 2023 to September 2024. The participants included 15 IHD patients with LSM experience, one patient's son, and 4 healthcare professionals (nurses, clinical psychologists, cardiologists, and nutritionists). The patients had an average age of 63 years and varied in sex, occupation, education, and marital status. Interviews averaged 69 min, ranging from 50 to 100 min. The analysis revealed a theme of "seeking wise survival," with 10 subcategories and three categories: interest and fear (e.g., family interest, fear of death), comprehensive recommendations, and individual and social benefits (e.g., time and cost savings). The findings of this study provide scientific evidence for HCPs to encourage and educate patients and their families regarding the LSM.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Ischemic heart disease; Lifestyle risk reduction; Motivation; Qualitative research; Self-efficacy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study received ethical approval under the code IR.KAUMS.REC.1402.011 from the Kashan University of Medical Sciences Ethics Committee. The researchers followed the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, informing the participants about the study objectives, information confidentiality, and their right to withdraw at any time. Informed consent forms and detailed explanations were provided. Interview times, locations, and durations were arranged according to participants’ comfort and agreement. Participants confirmed their agreement to participate in the study by signing a written informed consent form. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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