A high sense of coherence (SOC) has been found to be associated with favourable health-related behaviours. However, evidence is for the most part lacking on the influence of SOC on health-related behaviours among coronary heart disease patients. The aim of this study was to explore the association between SOC at baseline and smoking status, nutrition behaviour, physical exercise and alcohol consumption of coronary heart disease patients 12–28 months after they had undergone different cardiac treatments.

A total of 179 coronary heart disease patients (mean age 58.32±6.54 years, 19% female) were interviewed before coronary angiography and 12–28 months after. Self-report data about health-related behaviours were obtained via a structured interview. SOC was measured using the 13-item Orientation to Life Questionnaire. The relationship between SOC and health-related behaviours was examined using regression and cross-lagged path analyses.

SOC at baseline predicted non-smoking and quitting smoking: odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) per unit increase (over range 38–91) was 1.11 (1.03–1.19) and 1.09 (1.01–1.17), respectively. Moreover, baseline SOC predicted healthy nutrition behaviour among percutaneous coronary intervention patients: the OR per unit increase was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01–1.15). Lastly, SOC at baseline predicted improvement in alcohol consumption at follow-up among coronary artery bypass grafting patients (standard score result: –0.15, p<0.05).

Coronary heart disease patients with a low SOC before treatment are less likely to improve health behaviours after cardiac treatment and should thus get additional attention in health promotion.