Effects of Integrated Cardiovascular Health Education Program on Older Adults at Risk of ASCVD

The Effects of an Integrated Exercise and Cardiovascular Health Education Programme on Community-dwelling Older Adults at Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases: A Randomised 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 examine the effects of an integrated exercise and cardiovascular health education programme (HE programme) on community-dwelling older adults at risk of ASCVD.

The study is a two-arm randomized controlled trial. (1) The control group will mainly receive a basic lifestyle modification talk, a lecture video 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, fasting blood glucose, fasting blood lipids, and anthropometric outcomes will be investigated via physiological assessments, medical history-taking or questionnaires at baseline, Week 12, Week 24 and Week 36.

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 short messages

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