Purpose: High sodium intake increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac patients are recommended a daily sodium restriction of ≤1,500 mg. The purpose of this article is to describe daily sodium intake and sodium restriction adherence and its correlates in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program participants following cardiac revascularizations.
Design: This is a descriptive correlational study.
Methods: A subanalysis was performed using the data collected from a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of a 12-week weight management intervention.
Findings: The average daily sodium intake was 3,020 mg ± 1,134 at baseline, 4,047 mg ±1,517 at 4 months, and 4,399 mg ± 1,722 at 6 months. The adherence rates were 4.8% at baseline and zero at 4 and 6 months. The factors influencing daily sodium intake were identified.
Conclusion: The CR program participants failed to adhere to the sodium restriction guidelines.
Clinical relevance: Rehabilitation nurses need to identify effective strategies to educate CR participants and their family members regarding dietary sodium adherence in CR participants.
Keywords: Cardiac; older adults; rehabilitation.
© 2015 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.