SALUTOGENESIS AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH IN ADULTS: A SCOPING REVIEW

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify and synthesize evidence that relates the salutogenic theory proposed by Antonovsky with cardiovascular disease in adults. Methods: we conducted a scoping review as proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. Bibliographic databases were searched for original research articles about salutogenesis and cardiovascular health. The search yielded 29 studies that met the previously defined inclusion criteria. The results were evaluated and summarized in the form of a narrative. Results: the findings of the studies pointed to a correlation among a strong sense of coherence, high quality of life and a greater likelihood of adopting healthy behaviors. Furthermore, the articles showed that social support improves perceived health and well-being of adults with cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: as a central concept of the salutogenic theory, a sense of coherence represents a topic of interest for nursing professionals. Through their interventions, nurses can strengthen and improve people’s skills in the quest for and maintenance of their own health.

Health-related quality of life, sense of coherence and leisure-time physical activity in women after an acute myocardial infarction

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity, health-related quality of life and sense of coherence in women after an acute myocardial infarction, and further to investigate whether these aspects were associated with age.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity and health-related quality of life are vital aspects for patients after an acute myocardial infarction.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHOD

All eligible women diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction received a postal questionnaire two to three months after hospital discharge, and 142 women were included. To measure health-related quality of life and sense of coherence, The MacNew Heart disease questionnaire and the Sense of coherence-13 scale was used.

RESULTS

Respondents reporting at least one type of physical activity had significantly higher health-related quality of life as compared to respondents reporting no kind of physical activity. Respondents reporting physical activity for at least 30 minutes twice a week had significantly higher health-related quality of life scores than respondents being active less than twice a week. A weak association was found between physical activity level and sense of coherence. Reduction in physical activity after the acute myocardial infarction was associated with reduced health-related quality of life and sense of coherence. Sense of coherence was significantly associated with age, as respondents 75 years and older had significantly higher scores than respondents younger than 75 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity, even at a low level, is significantly associated with increased health-related quality of life and to some extent to sense of coherence.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Tailoring women after an acute myocardial infarction about lifestyle changes must include knowledge about the benefits of leisure-time physical activity, and that even a small amount of activity is associated with a better health-related quality of life. The utmost important assignment is to motivate the women for regular physical activity in their leisure-time. Older women need special attention.

Sense of coherence as a predictor of health-related behaviours among patients with coronary heart disease

AIMS

A high sense of coherence (SOC) has been found to be associated with favourable health-related behaviours. However, evidence is for the most part lacking on the influence of SOC on health-related behaviours among coronary heart disease patients. The aim of this study was to explore the association between SOC at baseline and smoking status, nutrition behaviour, physical exercise and alcohol consumption of coronary heart disease patients 12-28 months after they had undergone different cardiac treatments.

METHODS

A total of 179 coronary heart disease patients (mean age 58.32±6.54 years, 19% female) were interviewed before coronary angiography and 12-28 months after. Self-report data about health-related behaviours were obtained via a structured interview. SOC was measured using the 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire. The relationship between SOC and health-related behaviours was examined using regression and cross-lagged path analyses.

RESULTS

SOC at baseline predicted non-smoking and quitting smoking: odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) per unit increase (over range 38-91) was 1.11 (1.03-1.19) and 1.09 (1.01-1.17), respectively. Moreover, baseline SOC predicted healthy nutrition behaviour among percutaneous coronary intervention patients: the OR per unit increase was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01-1.15). Lastly, SOC at baseline predicted improvement in alcohol consumption at follow-up among coronary artery bypass grafting patients (standard score result: -0.15, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Coronary heart disease patients with a low SOC before treatment are less likely to improve health behaviours after cardiac treatment and should thus get additional attention in health promotion.