In a study published in Health Sa Gesonheid, L. van Rooy and Yoga Coopoo determined that nutritional knowledge among patients post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) improves after implementation of a lifestyle intervention program.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the number 1 cause of mortality worldwide, representing 31% of all global deaths. There are different risk factors contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases, and providing a holistic approach in the management of cardiovascular diseases is important for improving clinical outcomes.
In a recent article published in Health Sa Gesondheid, L. van Rooy and Yoga Coopoo report on the changes in nutrition knowledge of patients post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and implementation of a lifestyle intervention program. A total of 18 patients, aged 40 to 80 years, who were enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation facilities in South Africa, were included in the study. All participants had undergone CABG, and had no other co-morbid conditions other than hypertension, diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia. A twelve-week lifestyle program requiring participants to perform prescribed exercises was implemented. During this period, each participant was issued with a manual on nutritional guidelines to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases. A questionnaire was given to all participants before and after the rehabilitation period to assess their nutritional knowledge.
The results of the study show that there is a significant improvement in the nutritional knowledge of the participants after the rehabilitation period, stressing the importance of nutrition education in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Including nutritional education in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases may help improve their lifestyle choices and reduce the risks associated with their condition.
Written By:Â Karla Sevilla
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