Randomized trial of an individualized coronary risk factor intervention in patients from rural communities undergoing percutaneous coronary revascularization

A majority of patients from a rural community, who were transferred to tertiary centers for PCI, had multiple cardiac risk factors, The use of an inexpensive standardized and easily administered information and education tool was not effective as a sole learning strategy for promoting healthy lifestyle changes and risk factor modification for these patients. The lack of significant changes in risk factors including LDL-C, BMI, and physical activity suggests that these subjects will remain at a high risk for subsequent cardiac events. There is clear evidence that funding agencies and healthcare providers for rural communities must have a stronger commitment to develop intensive and ongoing programs that improve the risk profile of these high-risk individuals. This study has implications for further research. It shows that larger studies of PCI patients from remote communities to investigate the effect of intensive risk reduction programs are required.