Cardiovascular Risk Factor Reduction in First Responders Resulting From an Individualized Lifestyle and Blood Test Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that a lifestyle program would improve risk factors linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in first responders. METHODS: A 1-year cluster-randomized controlled clinical trial in 10 cities. Participants were 175 first responders, with increased waist circumference and/or low levels of large (α(1)) high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. The intervention group received personalized online tools and access to telephonic coaching sessions. RESULTS: At 1 year the intervention significantly reduced body weight (P = 0.004) and waist circumference (P = 0.002), increased α(1) HDL (P = 0.01), and decreased triglyceride (P = 0.005) and insulin concentrations (P = 0.03). Program adherence was associated with weight loss (P = 0.0005) and increases in α(1) HDL (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In first responders, a personalized lifestyle intervention significantly improved CVD risk factors in proportion to program adherence. Changes in large HDL particles were more sensitive indicators of lifestyle changes than HDL-cholesterol measurement. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03322046