Abstract
BackgroundEngagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as healthy diet and regular physical activity, are known to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is known to be associated with having a healthy lifestyle. The primary aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of CAM use in CHD patients, and in those without CHD but at risk for developing CHD, using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as a guiding conceptual framework.MethodQuestionnaire data were collected from 12,981 adult participants in the cross-sectional sixth Tromsø Study (2007–8). Eligible for analyses were 11,103 participants who reported whether they had used CAM or not. Of those, 830 participants reported to have or have had CHD (CHD group), 4830 reported to have parents, children or siblings with CHD (no CHD but family risk), while 5443 reported no CHD nor family risk of CHD. We first compared the patterns of CAM use in each group, and then examined the PMT predictors of CAM use. Health vulnerability from the threat appraisal process of PMT was assessed by self-rated health and expectations for future health. Response efficacy from the coping appraisal process of PMT was assessed as preventive health beliefs and health behavior frequency.ResultsUse of CAM was most commonly seen in people with no CHD themselves, but family risk of developing CHD (35.8%), compared to people already diagnosed with CHD (30.2%) and people with no CHD nor family risk (32.1%). All four of the PMT factors; self-rated health, expectations for future health, preventive health beliefs, and the health behavior index – were predictors for CAM use in the no CHD but family risk group.ConclusionThese findings suggest that people use CAM in response to a perceived risk of developing CHD, and to prevent disease and to maintain health.
Highlights
Engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as healthy diet and regular physical activity, are known to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD)
Use of Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was most commonly seen in people with no CHD themselves, but family risk of developing CHD (35.8%), compared to people already diagnosed with CHD (30.2%) and people with no CHD nor family risk (32.1%)
Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is often used to predict health behaviors [19], we considered that engaging in health-promoting behaviors would be reflective of efficacy for taking behavioral steps to reduce perceived risk for developing CHD, and increase the chances that CAM use would be used to further reduce risk, especially among those with non-modifiable risk factors for CHD
Summary
Engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as healthy diet and regular physical activity, are known to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). Engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as healthy diet and regular physical activity, are known to reduce the risk of developing CHD [5,6,7]. Individuals interested in improving their health and making healthy lifestyle changes are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as a self-care and health-care option [8, 9]. CAM use is associated with other healthy lifestyle behaviors such as diet and physical activity in national surveys from the U.S [10, 11], Canada [12], Germany [13] and Australia [14]. Despite the known links between CAM use and engaging in healthy behaviors and the role of healthy behaviors in reducing modifiable CHD risk [4], little is known about the patterns and reasons for CAM use among those at risk for developing CHD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
