Cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and health behaviors among cancer survivors and spouses: A MEPS Study.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalences of CVD, CVD risk factors. and health behaviors among cancer survivor-spouse dyads, assess how these prevalences differ by role (survivor vs spouse) and gender, and report congruences in health behaviors between survivors and their spouses. METHODS: We identified 1026 survivor-spouse dyads from the 2010-2015 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We used weighted multivariable logistic and linear regressions to analyze the data related to CVD, CVD risk factors, and health behaviors. RESULTS: Survivors and spouses reported high prevalences of CVD and CVD risk factors but low engagement in healthy behaviors, including non-smoking, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight (proxy for healthy diet). Gender and role differences were significantly related to the prevalence of CVD, CVD risk factors, and health behaviors among survivors and spouses. From 39% to 88% of survivors and spouses were congruent in their current smoking status, physical activity engagement/disengagement, and BMI. CONCLUSION: Cancer survivors and spouses have high rates of CVD and CVD risk factors and poor engagement in healthful lifestyle behaviors. A high proportion of survivors and spouses were congruent in their current smoking status, physical activity engagement/disengagement, and BMI. Effective lifestyle interventions are needed for this high-risk population. Couple-focused interventions may be well-suited for these dyads and warrant further study. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Both cancer survivors and their spouses need to be non-moking, more physically active, and maintain normal BMI in order to reduce their high risk of CVD and CVD risk factors.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Song, L; Guan, T; Guo, P; Song, F; Van Houtven, C; Tan, X; Keyserling, TC

Published Date

  • September 2020

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 9 / 18

Start / End Page

  • 6864 - 6874

PubMed ID

  • 32750221

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC7520310

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2045-7634

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/cam4.3336

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States