Effects of Cardiovascular Health Education Program on Community-dwelling Older Adults at Risk of ASCVD

The Effects of a Cardiovascular Health Education Program on Community-dwelling Older Adults at Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Despite older adults being exposed to an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), they are generally underrepresented in cardiovascular prevention programmes. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of implementing an integrated exercise and cardiovascular health education programme (HE programme) on older adults at risk of ASCVD.

The study is a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial. (1) The control group will receive a basic lifestyle modification talk and governmental education leaflets. (2) The experimental group will receive an integrated exercise and health education programme (HE programme) based on self-efficacy theory. Physical activity level, exercise self-efficacy and ASCVD risk profile including blood pressure, cardiac endurance, and anthropometric outcomes will be investigated via physiological assessments, medical history-taking or questionnaires at baseline, Week 6, and Week 12. Meanwhile, study feasibility will be primarily evaluated in terms of programme acceptability, intervention integrity, recruitment rate and retention rate throughout the process and at Week 12.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chinese adults ≧60 years old
• Having at least one ASCVD risk factor
• Pass the cardiovascular fitness evaluation
• Able to write and read Chinese, and communicate in Cantonese;
• Possess a mobile phone and able to make use of the phone in reading SMS

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visually impaired, hearing impaired, or suffer from cognitive, psychiatric, or muscular disorder
• Having a history of attending similar cardiovascular prevention program
• Having a previous history of coronary heart disease or stroke