Attempts to improve and confidence in improving health behaviour in 40–49 year olds with and without coronary heart disease: The Hordaland Health Study

While the overall incidence of acute myocardial infarction in Norway decreased in 2001–2009, this was not observed for younger adults. Smoking cessation, physical activity and healthy diet are associated with reduced risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality among individuals with established coronary heart disease (CHD).

We investigated whether adults in their 40s with or without CHD had 1) attempted to improve their health behaviour during the previous year, and 2) had confidence in their ability to improve their health behaviour over the next five years.

Study participants were 22,019 40–49 year olds from the Hordaland Health Study. Associations between improvements and intentions regarding health behaviours and prevalent CHD were assessed with logistic regression analyses.

One hundred and seventy-five (0.8%) participants reported to have CHD. After controlling for demographic, lifestyle and psychosocial variables, attempts to improve health behaviour during the prior year were associated with a threefold increased odds of prevalent CHD (odds ratio 3.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.91–4.95). Confidence in improving health behaviour during the subsequent five years was not associated with increased odds of prevalent CHD.

Adults in their 40s with CHD were more likely to have attempted to improve their health behaviour during the past year compared with those without CHD. Healthcare providers should take advantage of these positive attitudes to encourage further positive improvements.