Appropriate management of chronic heart failure and its signs and symptoms requires a considerable amount of participation by patients. Behavioral changes that prevent or minimize signs and symptoms and disease progression are just as important as the medications prescribed to treat the heart failure. The most difficult lifestyle changes include smoking cessation, weight loss, and restriction of dietary sodium. The Transtheoretical Model is a framework for assessing and addressing the concept of readiness for behavior change, which occurs in a 6-step process. The model consists of 3 dimensions: the stages of change, the processes of change on which interventions are based, and the action criteria for actual behavior. The stages of change are discussed, and interventions are presented to assist patients with heart failure in progressing through those stages toward maintenance of changed lifestyle behaviors. Methods for measuring the level of readiness for change of patients with heart failure are also presented, because correct staging is required before appropriate interventions matched to a patient’s stage can be delivered.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 July 2004
Psychological Issues in Critical Care|
July 01 2004
Strategies for Behavior Change in Patients With Heart Failure
Sara Paul, RN, MSN, FNP;
Sara Paul, RN, MSN, FNP
The Heart Function Clinic, Hickory Cardiology Associates, Hickory, NC (SP) and the College of Nursing, Heart Failure Clinic, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (NVS).
Search for other works by this author on:
Nancee V. Sneed, RN, PhD, ANP
Nancee V. Sneed, RN, PhD, ANP
The Heart Function Clinic, Hickory Cardiology Associates, Hickory, NC (SP) and the College of Nursing, Heart Failure Clinic, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC (NVS).
Search for other works by this author on:
Am J Crit Care (2004) 13 (4): 305–313.
Citation
Sara Paul, Nancee V. Sneed; Strategies for Behavior Change in Patients With Heart Failure. Am J Crit Care 1 July 2004; 13 (4): 305–313. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2004.13.4.305
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
AACN Account
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionShort-term Access
Purchase short-term access on a pay-per-article or pay-per-issue basis.
$15 72 - hour single article access $30 7 - day full issue access