Key result
Lifestyle counseling linked to a ~69% increase in regular medication use in post-PCI STEMI patients.
Why the study?
Many STEMI patients have unfavorable lifestyle habits that complicate risk factor management and worsen clinical outcomes, prompting evaluation of adherence to lifestyle and medical recommendations post-STEMI.
Does standardized lifestyle counseling at discharge improve adherence to lifestyle modifications and medical treatment at 6 months in patients with STEMI after primary PCI?
Cohort (n=97)
No
Does standardized lifestyle counseling at discharge improve adherence to lifestyle modifications and medical treatment at 6 months in patients with STEMI after primary PCI?
Absolute Event Rate: 98.9% vs 58.5%
p-value: p=<0.001
Early post-PCI lifestyle counseling in STEMI patients significantly improves medication adherence and physical activity, though social withdrawal remains a challenge requiring targeted psychosocial support.
Background:A large proportion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have unfavorable lifestyle habits such as smoking, insufficient physical activity, and an unhealthy diet. This situation complicates the management of cardiovascular risk factors and adversely affects clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of adherence to lifestyle modifications and medical treatment recommendations in patients after a STEMI.Methods:This is a prospective study involving 97 patients with a diagnosis of STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from October 10, 2024 to September 8, 2025. To compare pre- and post-intervention (baseline and 6-month follow-up) categorical variables such as smoking status, physical activity, dietary habits, medication adherence, and psychosocial indicators were recorded. To compare baseline and 6-month follow-up data, categorical parameters were analyzed using the standard chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact test, if applicable).Results:During the 6-month follow-up period, 3 patients were excluded due to mortality (n = 2) and/or loss to follow-up (n = 1); thus, the final analysis for both baseline and 6-month follow-up assessments was conducted on 94 patients. Physiologically, body weight decreased significantly during the follow-up period. A substantial increase in regular physical activity was detected, from 18.1% at baseline to 46.8% after 6-month (p < 0.001). Medication adherence demonstrated a dramatic enhancement, with an increase from 55 (58.5%) at baseline to 93 (98.9%) 6-month later (p < 0.001). However, a significant decline in maintaining an active social life from 86.2% at baseline to 53.2% at follow-up.Conclusions:Lifestyle modifications and adherence to medication recommendations after PCI are important in the follow-up of STEMI patients. There was a significant improvement in medication adherence and regular physical activity from baseline to follow-up in STEMI patients after PCI; however, their social life activity declined. The decline in social life suggests a need for psychosocial support programs post-PCI.
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Kış et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=97). Standardized face-to-face lifestyle counseling vs. Baseline (pre-intervention) was evaluated on Regular medication use (p=<0.001). Standardized lifestyle counseling significantly increased regular medication use from 58.5% to 98.9% at 6 months in STEMI patients post-PCI, alongside improved physical activity but reduced social life.
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