Caregiver burden and nonachievement of healthy lifestyle behaviors among family caregivers of cardiovascular disease patients.

ABSTRACT: To determine whether caregiver burdens are associated with lifestyle behaviors 1 year following the hospitalization of a family member with cardiovascular disease (CVD).Prospective follow-up study of National Heart Lung and Blood Institute sponsored Family Intervention Trial for Heart Health participants.Hospital-based recruitment/baseline visit with 1-year follow-up.Family members of hospitalized CVD patients (N ?=? 423; 67% female; 36% racial/ethnic minority; mean age 49 years).Systematic evaluation at 1 year to determine heart-healthy diet (defined as <10% kcal from saturated fat; Block 98 Food Frequency Questionnaire) and physical activity (defined as ?4 d/wk; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey) behaviors and caregiver burdens (five domains: employment, financial, physical, social, and time; Caregiver Strain Questionnaire).Logistic regression adjusted for covariates.Heart-healthy diet was less frequent among caregivers citing feeling overwhelmed (odds ratio [OR] ?=? .50; 95% confidence interval [CI] ?=? .26-.97), sleep disturbance (OR ?=? .51; 95% CI ?=? .27-.96), financial strain (OR ?=? .41; 95% CI ?=? .20-.86), upsetting behavior (OR ?=? .48; 95% CI ?=? .25-.92), and/or time demands (OR ?=? .47; 95% CI ?=? .26-.85) as burdens. Physical activity was less frequent among caregivers reporting financial strain (OR ?=? .32; 95% CI ?=? .13-.81) or upsetting patient behavior (OR ?=? .33; 95% CI ?=? .15-.76) as burdens. The most commonly cited caregiver burdens included changes in personal plans (39%), time demands (38%), and sleep disturbance (30%).Caregiver burdens were associated with nonachievement of heart-healthy diet and physical activity behaviors among family caregivers 1 year after patient discharge. When developing heart-health promotion interventions, caregiver burden should be considered as a possible barrier to prevention among family members of CVD patients.

SUBMITTER: Mochari-Greenberger H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4041363 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature