Lifestyle changes and quality of life a year after attending Rapid Access Cardiology Clinics: an observational study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease risk factors and quality of life (QoL) are critical post-clinic visit outcomes.
• Understanding long-term patient adherence to lifestyle changes is essential for effective cardiovascular care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate behavioral risk factors and QoL in patients 12 months after a Rapid Access Cardiology Clinic (RACC) visit.
• To identify demographic differences, specifically in women and older adults, regarding lifestyle modifications post-cardiology consultation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study involving data collection from three Sydney hospitals (2017-2018).
• Baseline clinical data and 365-day follow-up questionnaires assessed lifestyle changes and QoL using EQ-5D-5L.
• 1491 participants completed baseline, 1092 provided 1-year follow-up data.

Main Results:

• Approximately 50% of participants reported improvements in physical activity and diet one year after their RACC visit.
• Women (44.7%) and older adults (>60 years, 27.9%) were less likely to report positive lifestyle modifications.
• QoL data was available for 811 participants.

Conclusions:

• While many cardiology patients adopt healthier lifestyles post-RACC visit, specific demographic groups require targeted interventions.
• Future research should focus on strategies to improve lifestyle changes in women and older cardiology patients to enhance long-term QoL.