OPTImal CArdiac REhabilitation (OPTICARE) Following Acute Coronary Syndromes

intervention starts 2 weeks after ending standard CR and is based on five phonebased coaching sessions at 6 weeks intervals up to 6 months. Each coaching session includes 5 stages: (1) Asking questions to establish patient's knowledge, attitude and beliefs about their risk factors; (2) Explanation and rationale; (3) Assertiveness training; (4) Goal setting; (5) Reassessment.

standard CR according to the guidelines consisting of (a) 2 times a week exercise program of 1.5 hours during 12 weeks, (b) upon request of the patient: participation in multifactorial lifestyle and risk factor sessions (medical information, dietary advises and emotional advises, information about risk factors, smoking cessation program and stress management sessions).

(a) standard CR consisting of 2 times a week exercise program of 1.5 hours during 12 weeks. (b) (mandatory) participation in multifactorial lifestyle and risk factor sessions: i.e. 4 sessions of 2 hours each (medical information, dietary advises, risk factors and emotional advises). If applicable, patients will participate in smoking cessation, dietary and stress management programs . (c) Individual sessions and a personalized home-based program to promote an active life style upon instruction of a physiotherapist and physical activity counselor during and after completion of rehabilitation. Activity monitors will be used to provide feedback. (d) Additional compulsory supervised multifactorial lifestyle and risk management training sessions of each 2 hours provided at 4, 6 and 12 months.