Related Experiment Videos
The Tromsø Heart Study: family approach to intervention on CHD. Feasibility of risk factor reduction in high-risk
1Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway.
Insights
This study targeted high-risk families for coronary heart disease (CHD) prevention. Family-centered interventions showed a small reduction in total cholesterol and improved HDL cholesterol ratios.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) interventions often focus on individuals, yielding varied results.
- Previous studies concentrated solely on high-risk individuals, neglecting the family unit.
- The family environment significantly influences individual health behaviors and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of a family-centered intervention for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- To assess the impact of targeting high-risk families as a cohesive unit.
- To evaluate changes in lipid profiles within a high-risk male population and their families.
Main Methods:
- 1,373 high-risk men (30-55 years) with high total cholesterol or low HDL-cholesterol ratio were identified.
- Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group.
- The intervention group received lifestyle advice via home visits and newsletters, targeting the entire family.
Main Results:
- A small reduction in total cholesterol was observed 1.5 years post-intervention.
- An increase in the HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was noted in the intervention group.
- Long-term follow-up is ongoing for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over 10 years.
Conclusions:
- Family-focused interventions may offer a modest benefit in improving lipid profiles for high-risk individuals.
- Targeting the family unit represents a potential strategy for enhancing CHD prevention efforts.
- Further research is needed to confirm long-term cardiovascular event reduction.
Abstract:
Intervention on high risk persons for CHD has shown varying results depending on the effectiveness of the intervention. Most studies have concentrated on the high-risk person only. The present study focuses on the high-risk family as an entity. 1,373 high-risk men, 30-55 years, were identified on the basis of high total cholesterol and/or low relative HDL (HDL-cholesterol/tot. cholesterol) in the Tromsø II screening in 1979/80, and randomly allocated to intervention or control group. The 673 men in the intervention group and their families, were offered advice to reduce their risk during two home visits and later by quarterly newsletters. Follow-up blood samples drawn 1.5 years following the home-visit, show a small reduction in total cholesterol and an increase in the ratio of HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol. Both the intervention and control group were invited to the examination in connection with the Tromsø III screening in 1986/87 and are being followed for 10 years on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.