Factors Affecting the Intention to Modify Lifestyle in the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Group in Korea

Abstract

This study aimed to identify people at risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) using the Framingham risk score (FRS) and to examine their willingness to modify their lifestyle. A descriptive correlational study with 1229 participants, aged 30–74 years, without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases who visited a health examination center in South Korea was conducted. Of 1229 participants, 455 were identified as high risk for CVD with an FRS of 10 or higher. A logistic regression analysis confirmed age, sex, muscle training, and weekly drinking frequency as predictors of intention to quit smoking; age, smoking, and waist to height ratio (WHtR) as predictors of intention to quit drinking; sex and WHtR as predictors of intention to engage in physical exercise; and hypertension and body mass index as predictors of intention of muscle training. People at high risk for CVD lack willingness to modify their lifestyle, and aggressive, customized intervention is needed to promote lifestyle modification.