Effects of an intervention on health behaviors of older coronary artery bypass (CAB) patients.

Coronary artery bypass (CAB) patients are older increasingly more often than before. Effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation among the elderly is not yet adequately known about. The purpose was to describe short-term (3-month), intermediate (6-month), and long-term (12-month) effects of health counseling, guidance, and adjustment education in groups on health, health behaviors, and functional abilities among older CAB patients. The study population was randomized to an intervention group (IG=49) and a control group (CG=68). Prior to CAB, intervention included one guidance and counseling group session and four sessions within 12 months following CAB. Intervention had positive effects on exercise activities, use of alcohol, and functional abilities among all participants, and on frequency of eating visible fat, fresh greens and vegetables among men. The intervention was effective with some exercise activities and functional abilities persisting for at least 1 year following CAB. Similar interventions may be arranged for older people. Health care professionals need to guide and encourage older people in their efforts to participate in them.