Intervention programs for cardiovascular disease risk factor reduction in older adults: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally in older adults, and to reduce this morbidity and mortality gap, intervention programs have been designed to modify changes in lifestyles. Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify programs developed for older adults, their duration, areas intervened, and effectiveness through a systematic review of the literature that was based on the PRISMA methodology, in which the academic databases EBSCOhost, Dialnet, PubMed, Redalyc, Scopus, and Google Scholar were examined. Methodology: The studies included in the review consist of articles published in the period 2019 to 2024. A total of 194 preliminary articles were obtained, of which 44 studies were selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The results show that most of the programs last between 2 and 12 months, based on comprehensive activities, with nutrition, physical activity, stress reduction and personalized behavioral counseling being the most implemented. Conclusions: Regarding the effectiveness of the programs, most of them present significant changes in body mass index, glycemia, cholesterol, triglycerides, better physical performance, improvement in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in health habits. General area of study: medicine. Specific area of study: cardiology. Type of study: Bibliographic Review.