Acute Coronary Syndrome as a Teachable Moment for Smoking Cessation. (16th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tofler, Geoffrey H.; May, Robin; Bartrop, Roger; Kirkness, Ann; Glinatsis, Helen; de Burgh, Simon
• Is Part Of: Journal of smoking cessation. Volume 10:Number 1(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 5
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2013-12-16
• Subjects: Smoking cessation -- Periodicals; Tobacco use -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 616.86506
• DOI: 10.1017/jsc.2013.35
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1834-2612

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>Introduction: Although the teachable moment has been recognised as an important contributor to behaviour change, its role in smoking cessation merits further investigation.</p> <p>Aim: We prospectively evaluated 116 patients hospitalised with a suspected acute coronary syndrome in two tertiary referral hospitals. The patients comprised 84 men and 32 women, aged 54.2 ± 8.5 years, and the final diagnosis was myocardial infarction in 90 and angina in 26.</p> <p>Results/Findings: At one month, the self-reported quit rate was 65%, maintained to 61% at 12 months. The quit rate was greater at one and 12 months for those diagnosed with myocardial infarction (70% and 67%) compared with those who had angina (46% and 40%), p&lt;0.05. The strongest motivators for quitting were the heart attack and the consequences of the diagnosis. Of those who quit at 1 month, 77% did so without additional aids.</p> <p>Conclusions: Hospitalisation with an acute coronary syndrome is associated with a high quit rate, and the diagnosis of heart attack with its potential consequences represents a strong teachable moment to stop smoking. The findings support further investigation of the teachable moment to aid in smoking cessation.</p> </abstract>