Study population

In this study, 92 hospitalized MI patients (90% power with a two-sided significance level of α = 0.05) participated.

The inclusion criteria encompassed doctor's permission (not having high-risk criteria according to the New York Heart Association), having at least one heart risk factor, inability to participate in CR programs, aged 75 or below, appropriate cognitive abilities, and ability to read and write. The patients with the incidence of other diseases (renal, endocrine, orthopedic, cancer, and stroke) throughout the study period were excluded.

Convenience sampling method was used to select the patients with regard to the inclusion criteria. Then, the patients were randomly assigned into two groups, with 46 patients in experimental (receiving the self-management program and routine education) and control (receiving routine education) groups. Two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic information (age, gender, marital status, and occupation) and initial risk behavior scores (diet, BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure) [Figure 1].

Consort flowchart of the study