Cardiovascular (CV) RiskHerzAktivNCT07785921
Health Behaviour and Readiness to Change After Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-sectional Survey
An observational study of Cardiovascular (CV) Risk and Heart Attack Patients, run by Kliniken Essen-Mitte at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
This study investigates health behaviour and readiness for lifestyle change in patients who recently had a heart attack (myocardical infarction) treated with stenting (PTCA). Despite successful acute treatment, many patients remain at increased risk of a second heart atttack because lifestyle changes are not… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cardiovascular (CV) Risk, Heart Attack Patients
- How many people
- 143 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 15 Sep 2026to 30 Sep 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients from the catchment area of the Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, University Hospital Essen, treated for acute myocardial infarction with PTCA. Recruitment and eligibility screening take place during the routine post-discharge follow-up visit at the Lipidambulanz, within approx. 3 months. after the index event. creening is performed by the treating physician within the existing doctor-patient relationshop, without recording study-specifix personal data. Eligible patients are approached in person by a stdy physician and enrolled only after written informed consent.
Who may be able to join
- age over 18 years
- myocardial infarction within past 6 months
- PTCA treatment
Who cannot join
- Age under 18
- history of multiple myocardial infactionrs
- myocardial infarction more than 6 months prior
- myocardial infarction not treated by PTCA
- absence of informed consent
- severe cognitive impairment precluding data collection
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Germany1 site
University Hospital Essen
Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
Andrea Sippel, 0049201723-77374, Andrea.Sippel@uk-essen.de
About this study
Official title: Cardiovascular Risk Behavior and Readiness for Lifestyle Change After Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study (HERZ-AKTIV)
This study investigates health behaviour and readiness for lifestyle change in patients who recently had a heart attack (myocardical infarction) treated with stenting (PTCA). Despite successful acute treatment, many patients remain at increased risk of a second heart atttack because lifestyle changes are not consistently maintained. Participants who had a heart attack within the past 6 months will complete standardized questionnaires on readiness to change, quality of life, anxiety/depression, and physical functioning, plus a free-text section on personal barriers to change. Findings will characterize this population and inform a future lifestyle intervention trial
Read the detailed description
Cardiovascular diseses are the leading cause of deaths in Germany and worldwide. Even after successfull PTCA, reinfarction rates remain elevated, partly because patients often underestimate their ongoing risk, have limited knowledge of secondary prevention targets and show low self-efficacy for behavior change; anxiety and depression are also common after myocardial infarction.
This single-center, cross-sectional study enrolls patients treated with PTCA within the past 6 months, recruited during their routine follow-up visit at the Lipidambulanz, Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, University Hospital Essen. Participants complete validated questionnaires: PIAC (primary outcome; rediness to change), SF-36 (quality of life); HADS (anxiety/depression), and KCCQ-23 (physical functioning), plus sociodemographic data and free-text section on perceived barriers.
This study is purely observational, involves no interventions or biospecimens and takes about 30 minutes. A sample of 143 participants was calculated for adequate precision in estimating the PIAC meand and supporting exploratory regression analyses, accounting for 10% dropout. Data collection runs 6 months, followed by 18 months of analysus. Results wull inform a planned randomized controlled trial.
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular (CV) Risk, Heart Attack Patients
- Keywords
- secondary prevention, prevention, heart attack, lifestyle modification, cardiovascular disease
- Medical subject headings
- Myocardial Infarction, Cardiovascular Diseases
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients | Patients aged 18 years or older who experienced a myocardical infarction within the past 6 months, treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and recruited during ther routine post-discharge follow-up visit at the Lipidambulanz (lipid outpatient clinic), Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, University Hospital Essen. Participants complete a one-time set of questionnaires. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
PIAC (Perception, Intention and Ability to Change) Scale
Readiness and ability to change health-related behavior, habits and living conditions, assessed using the PIAC questionnaire, a validated 9 item instrument covering awareness of negative health behaviors, intention to change and implementation of change strategies. Higher scores indicate a better awareness and intention to change.
Measured: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
Secondary outcomes (3)
SF-36 (Short-form 36 Health Survey)
Health-related quality of life assessed using the SF-36, yielding a physical and a mental summary score; higher scores indicate better quality of life.
Measured: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale)
Anxiety and depressive Symptoms assessed using the HADS(-A) for Anxiety and HADS-(D) for depression. each ssubscales ranges from 0-21; higher scores indicate greater severity.
Measured: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
KCCQ-23 (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire)
Disease-specific health status using the KCCQ-23 covering physical limitations, symptoms, self-efficacy, social limitation and quality of life. Scores ranging 0-100 with higher scores indicating better health status.
Measured: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Aug 2026
- Study start15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (8)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cardiovascular (CV) RiskStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 143 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kliniken Essen-Mitte
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Universitätsklinikum Essen
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kohl, Wiebke, Universitätsklinikum Essen
- Investigators
- Wiebke Kohl, Dr.med, Principal investigator, Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, University Hospital EssenGustav Dobos, Prof. Dr. med., Study director, Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, University Hospital Essen
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07785921
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 26-12963-BO
- Other IDs
- Habilitation Scholarship
- Acronym
- HerzAktiv
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 31 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Green CP, Porter CB, Bresnahan DR, Spertus JA. Development and evaluation of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire: a new health status measure for heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000 Apr;35(5):1245-55. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(00)00531-3.
PubMed 10758967Endler NS, Hunt JM. Generalizability of contributions from sources of variance in the S-R inventories of anxiousness. J Pers. 1969 Mar;37(1):1-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1969.tb01728.x. No abstract available.
PubMed 5778965Chen JJ, Anand SK, Porter PJ. Infectious mononucleosis with thrombocytopenic purpura. Pediatrics. 1968 Feb;41(2):526-8. No abstract available.
PubMed 5688970Lehmann N, Paul A, Moebus S, Budde T, Dobos GJ, Michalsen A. Effects of lifestyle modification on coronary artery calcium progression and prognostic factors in coronary patients--3-year results of the randomized SAFE-LIFE trial. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Dec;219(2):630-6. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.08.050. Epub 2011 Sep 6.
PubMed 21944697Sanchez Angulo JI, Cuesta Lopez MJ, Zapata Lopez A, Perez Cortes S. [HIV infection and porphyria cutanea tarda]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 1997 Aug-Sep;15(7):392-3. No abstract available. Spanish.
PubMed 9410059Ornish D, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, Brown SE, Gould KL, Merritt TA, Sparler S, Armstrong WT, Ports TA, Kirkeeide RL, Hogeboom C, Brand RJ. Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease. JAMA. 1998 Dec 16;280(23):2001-7. doi: 10.1001/jama.280.23.2001.
PubMed 9863851Nguyen XT, Li Y, Wang DD, Whitbourne SB, Houghton SC, Hu FB, Willett WC, Sun YV, Djousse L, Gaziano JM, Cho K, Wilson PW; VA Million Veteran Program. Impact of 8 lifestyle factors on mortality and life expectancy among United States veterans: The Million Veteran Program. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024 Jan;119(1):127-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.10.032. Epub 2023 Dec 7.
PubMed 38065710Yusuf S, Hawken S, Ounpuu S, Dans T, Avezum A, Lanas F, McQueen M, Budaj A, Pais P, Varigos J, Lisheng L; INTERHEART Study Investigators. Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study. Lancet. 2004 Sep 11-17;364(9438):937-52. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17018-9.
PubMed 15364185
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Cardiovascular Risk Behavior and Readiness for Lifestyle Change After Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study (HERZ-AKTIV)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07785921
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HerzAktiv / 26-12963-BO
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular (CV) Risk, Heart Attack Patients
- Keywords
- secondary prevention, prevention, heart attack, lifestyle modification, cardiovascular disease
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 143 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Kliniken Essen-MitteUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Universitätsklinikum Essen
- Study start
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study investigates health behaviour and readiness for lifestyle change in patients who recently had a heart attack (myocardical infarction) treated with stenting (PTCA). Despite successful acute treatment, many patients remain at increased risk of a second heart atttack because lifestyle changes are not consistently maintained. Participants who had a heart attack within the past 6 months will complete standardized questionnaires on readiness to change, quality of life, anxiety/depression, and physical functioning, plus a free-text section on personal barriers to change. Findings will characterize this population and inform a future lifestyle intervention trial
Detailed description
Cardiovascular diseses are the leading cause of deaths in Germany and worldwide. Even after successfull PTCA, reinfarction rates remain elevated, partly because patients often underestimate their ongoing risk, have limited knowledge of secondary prevention targets and show low self-efficacy for behavior change; anxiety and depression are also common after myocardial infarction.
This single-center, cross-sectional study enrolls patients treated with PTCA within the past 6 months, recruited during their routine follow-up visit at the Lipidambulanz, Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, University Hospital Essen. Participants complete validated questionnaires: PIAC (primary outcome; rediness to change), SF-36 (quality of life); HADS (anxiety/depression), and KCCQ-23 (physical functioning), plus sociodemographic data and free-text section on perceived barriers.
This study is purely observational, involves no interventions or biospecimens and takes about 30 minutes. A sample of 143 participants was calculated for adequate precision in estimating the PIAC meand and supporting exploratory regression analyses, accounting for 10% dropout. Data collection runs 6 months, followed by 18 months of analysus. Results wull inform a planned randomized controlled trial.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients | – | –Patients aged 18 years or older who experienced a myocardical infarction within the past 6 months, treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and recruited during ther routine post-discharge follow-up visit at the Lipidambulanz (lipid outpatient clinic), Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, University Hospital Essen. Participants complete a one-time set of questionnaires. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Patients from the catchment area of the Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, University Hospital Essen, treated for acute myocardial infarction with PTCA. Recruitment and eligibility screening take place during the routine post-discharge follow-up visit at the Lipidambulanz, within approx. 3 months. after the index event. creening is performed by the treating physician within the existing doctor-patient relationshop, without recording study-specifix personal data. Eligible patients are approached in person by a stdy physician and enrolled only after written informed consent.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- age over 18 years
- myocardial infarction within past 6 months
- PTCA treatment
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age under 18
- history of multiple myocardial infactionrs
- myocardial infarction more than 6 months prior
- myocardial infarction not treated by PTCA
- absence of informed consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
PIAC (Perception, Intention and Ability to Change) Scale
Time frame: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
Readiness and ability to change health-related behavior, habits and living conditions, assessed using the PIAC questionnaire, a validated 9 item instrument covering awareness of negative health behaviors, intention to change and implementation of change strategies. Higher scores indicate a better awareness and intention to change.
3 secondary outcomes
SF-36 (Short-form 36 Health Survey)
Time frame: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale)
Time frame: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
KCCQ-23 (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire)
Time frame: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 10758967Green CP, Porter CB, Bresnahan DR, Spertus JA. Development and evaluation of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire: a new health status measure for heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000 Apr;35(5):1245-55. doi: 10.1016/s0735-1097(00)00531-3.
- Background: PubMed 5778965Endler NS, Hunt JM. Generalizability of contributions from sources of variance in the S-R inventories of anxiousness. J Pers. 1969 Mar;37(1):1-24. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1969.tb01728.x. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 5688970Chen JJ, Anand SK, Porter PJ. Infectious mononucleosis with thrombocytopenic purpura. Pediatrics. 1968 Feb;41(2):526-8. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 21944697Lehmann N, Paul A, Moebus S, Budde T, Dobos GJ, Michalsen A. Effects of lifestyle modification on coronary artery calcium progression and prognostic factors in coronary patients--3-year results of the randomized SAFE-LIFE trial. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Dec;219(2):630-6. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.08.050. Epub 2011 Sep 6.
- Background: PubMed 9410059Sanchez Angulo JI, Cuesta Lopez MJ, Zapata Lopez A, Perez Cortes S. [HIV infection and porphyria cutanea tarda]. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 1997 Aug-Sep;15(7):392-3. No abstract available. Spanish.
- Background: PubMed 9863851Ornish D, Scherwitz LW, Billings JH, Brown SE, Gould KL, Merritt TA, Sparler S, Armstrong WT, Ports TA, Kirkeeide RL, Hogeboom C, Brand RJ. Intensive lifestyle changes for reversal of coronary heart disease. JAMA. 1998 Dec 16;280(23):2001-7. doi: 10.1001/jama.280.23.2001.
- Background: PubMed 38065710Nguyen XT, Li Y, Wang DD, Whitbourne SB, Houghton SC, Hu FB, Willett WC, Sun YV, Djousse L, Gaziano JM, Cho K, Wilson PW; VA Million Veteran Program. Impact of 8 lifestyle factors on mortality and life expectancy among United States veterans: The Million Veteran Program. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024 Jan;119(1):127-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.10.032. Epub 2023 Dec 7.
- Background: PubMed 15364185Yusuf S, Hawken S, Ounpuu S, Dans T, Avezum A, Lanas F, McQueen M, Budaj A, Pais P, Varigos J, Lisheng L; INTERHEART Study Investigators. Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTERHEART study): case-control study. Lancet. 2004 Sep 11-17;364(9438):937-52. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17018-9.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Wiebke Kohl, Dr.med principal investigator
Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, University Hospital Essen
Gustav Dobos, Prof. Dr. med. study director
Center for Integrative Medicine and Planetary Health, University Hospital Essen
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cardiovascular (CV) Risk and Heart Attack Patients, run by Kliniken Essen-Mitte at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Wiebke K Kohl-Heckl, Dr.med. (004920117425012, w.kohl-heckl@kem-med.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
PIAC (Perception, Intention and Ability to Change) Scale (time frame: Single assessement at study enrollment, baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07785921, which also lists 8 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Aug 2026.