HEALS (Healthy Eating And Lifestyle After Stroke)

HEALS (Healthy Eating And Lifestyle After Stroke): A Pilot Trial of a Multidisciplinary Lifestyle Intervention Program

This lifestyle intervention plan will improve healthy lifestyle practices (diet, exercise, and smoking cessation) among stroke survivors and result in a reduction in measures of general and abdominal obesity.

Study data collection will consist of a baseline and outcome study visit. Each visit will consist of a survey and physical exam to collect height, weight and body measurements.

Outcome measures include:

1. Physical Activity: Collected via survey using a version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
2. Diet: Collected via survey using the Brief Dietary Assessment Tools for Hispanics
3. Body Mass Index (BMI): Collected via physical exam following the Alaska State Department of Health and Social Services BMI Guidelines
4. Abdominal Obesity: Collected via physical exam following the NIH Standard Circumference methods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Phase I: Completed 12 month SUSTAIN trial (SUSTAIN criteria: age ≥ 40 years, acute TIA or ischemic stroke within the prior one month and systolic blood pressure (SBP) >120 mm Hg).
• Phase II: Stroke or TIA > 3 months prior to screening date, age > 20 years, blood pressure (SBP) > 120 mm Hg.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Phase I and Phase II: Same as SUSTAIN criteria: medical condition limiting participation in follow up assessments, severe cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤24), and severe global disability (modified Rankin ≥3).