Healthy Heart: Providing Healthy Lifestyle Strategies for Cardiovascular Patients; [بلق،ملاسابیهئارایاهدربهارکبسگدنزیملاسردنارامیب-یبلقیقورع] Publisher

Summary: How might healthier lifestyles be supported? An Iranian priority-setting study favored counseling, national programs, healthier environments and phased policy measures. #PublicHealth #Prevention

Sarrafzadegan N ; Mohammadifard N
Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2026

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) claim millions of lives annually and impose a heavy financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Iran, as a developing country, is facing an increasing prevalence of these diseases. In this context, the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program implemented educational, environmental, and policy interventions aimed at improving lifestyle behaviors and cardiovascular risk factors in order to reduce the incidence of CVDs and related mortality. The study findings indicated that an intervention program aimed at community empowerment reduced CVD risk factors and can effectively manage the prevalence and mortality of these diseases. Based on the study findings and expert consultations, four policy options were proposed: a comprehensive national program to promote a healthy lifestyle at the population level, targeted interventions for high-risk groups, and “environmental interventions”; and “policy and legislative interventions”, such as fiscal and pricing policies to encourage the consumption of healthy goods and reduce the consumption of unhealthy ones. Analysis of these options showed that, considering budget constraints and the existing capacities of the country's health system, the first priority is assigned to targeted interventions for high-risk groups. Practical steps in this direction include designing a screening and identification system for women and the elderly at the level of health houses and comprehensive health centers, training nutritionists and health care providers to offer counseling, and providing insurance coverage for nutrition and physical activity counseling services. The second priority is the comprehensive national program to promote a healthy lifestyle at the population level, which requires the formulation of a national document with the participation of all relevant agencies and a pilot-based approach. The third priority is the implementation of environmental interventions to provide the necessary infrastructure and opportunities for healthy nutrition and physical activity among the population. Finally, the fourth priority involves introducing new health policies or enforcing existing but underutilized policies which, due to implementation difficulties and stakeholder resistance, should be implemented gradually, with feedback loops and within an optimization process. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.