Predictors of successful, self-reported lifestyle changes in a defined middle-aged population: The Söderåkra Cardiovascular Risk Factor Study, Sweden

Aims: It is well established that the main cause of the development of cardiovascular disease can be found in unhealthy lifestyle habits. In our study, we wanted to explore the long-term predictors of self-reported lifestyle changes in a middle-aged population after screening for cardiovascular risk factors 10 years earlier. Methods: We conducted a 10-year follow-up telephone interview on self-reported lifestyle changes in a rural population in south-eastern Sweden, after a cardiovascular screening programme. The population comprised 90% of all inhabitants (n=705) aged 40—59 years at baseline, and 90% of these (n=629) were reached for the telephone interview. Results: When multivariate logistic regression was used, a higher success rate for lifestyle changes was independently associated with female gender (odds ratio (OR)=1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11—2.18). When stratified for gender, significant predictors for success in men were prevalent cardiovascular risk conditions (OR=4.77, 95% CI 2.18—10.5; p<0.001) and previous myocardial infarction (OR=22.8, 95% CI 4.73—110; p<0.001) at baseline. For women, elevated blood pressure (≥160 and/or ≥90 mmHg) measured at baseline (OR=1.84, 95% CI 1.12—3.02; p=0.016) was significantly associated with successful lifestyle changes. Smoking at baseline was also associated with significant success: OR=3.36 (95% CI:2.05—5.51; p<0.001) and OR=1.81 (95% CI 1.11—2.95; p=0.017) for men and women, respectively. Conclusions: Female gender was associated with significant improvements in self-reported lifestyle changes. Furthermore, smoking, a medical history of diabetes, hypertension, angina pectoris or myocardial infarction at baseline predicted success in lifestyle change in this 10-year follow-up study.