Effect behavioural lifestyle modification among acute coronary syndrome: A Scoping Review

Background: The global issue of lifestyle modification among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) populations centres on low adherence to comprehensive lifestyle changes despite their proven critical benefits. Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) often struggle to maintain healthy behaviours even though these modifications substantially reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic events and mortality. In acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the nurse's role is pivotal. It involves rapid assessment, timely medication intervention, continuous monitoring of vital signs and cardiac status, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, and crucial patient education to support treatment adherence and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle modifications, including structured exercise programs, dietary changes, smoking cessation, and medication adherence, are a cornerstone of effective cardiac rehab programs. These interventions are tailored to individual patient needs and are often delivered by multidisciplinary teams, with increasing integration of technology and cultural tailoring to enhance reach and efficacy. Premkumar et al. (2022) stated that understanding these gaps is critical to designing more effective, equitable, and sustainable nursing interventions for diverse cardiac populations, particularly given that only 20-30% of eligible patients participate in cardiac rehab programs, with even lower rates among women, minorities, and rural populations. In this context we performed a scoping review of the effect behavioural lifestyle modification among acute coronary syndrome patients. 

Method: We conducted a scoping review article of PubMed, Web of Science, and the Scopus to identify gaps and the effect behavioural lifestyle modification among acute coronary syndrome and to clarify the concept analysis for future research initiatives. We included studies of cardiac rehabilitation among acute coronary syndrome with the intervention involving behavioural lifestyle modification. We also included studies that measure the outcome of behavioral lifestyle modification on cardiovascular health. 

Results: 274 article from Scopus (5 selected), 48 article from PubMed (none selected), and 137 from Web of Sciences (4 selected) were included. Studies were categorized into 2 effect lifestyle modification outcomes: quality of life and recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events. Lifestyle modification included diet, physical activity, smoking cessation and medication. The majority of studies on lifestyle modification show an improvement in quality of life (N = 10 studies). 2 studies examined the major adverse cardiovascular events. 4 studies express that cardiac rehabilitation can improve the quality of life. One study emphasizes how diet modification is underutilized in the secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome. 

Conclusions: Most studies we reviewed found that behavioral lifestyle modification can improve quality of life for patients with acute coronary syndrome and prevent major adverse cardiovascular events

Miss Adibah Fathihah is a postgraduate student from University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and wishes to inspire future nurses regarding health education in cardiovascular science.