Effects of preventive group education on the resistance of LDL against oxidation and risk factors for coronary heart disease in bypass surgery patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Comprehensive preventive education for heart patients is effective in reducing cardiac events. However, very demanding counselling protocols cannot easily be implemented as an integral part of clinical practice in hospitals. AIM. To evaluate whether recurrent preventive group education for coronary artery bypass grafting patients affects the resistance of LDL against oxidation and the classical risk factors for coronary heart disease. METHODS. A prospective, controlled study with one-year follow-up was carried out in Southern Finland. Coronary artery bypass patients were allocated late ( S 18 months) after the operation in the intervention and control groups. RESULTS. Seventy two patients (65 men and 7 women) completed the study. Twelve-hour group education on healthy life-style had a significant (25%, P = 0.01) but transient positive effect on the resistance of LDL against oxidation. There was a trend towards increased physical activity in the intervention group. The impact of education on patients' weight was also more consistent (1.2 kg at 12 months, P < 0.05), whereas long-term effects on fibrinogen and serum lipids were small. CONCLUSIONS. Repeated group education applied as an economically feasible part of specialist care had only small positive effects on patients' risk factors. There was a significant, but transient, increase in the resistance of LDL against oxidation. However, effective lipid lowering drug treatment is indicated for most coronary artery bypass patients rather than repeated health education alone.