Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #208

Abstract This study presents a literature review examining long-term adherence to lifestyle and medical recommendations following cardiac surgery. While surgical procedures often improve immediate health outcomes, long-term recovery largely depends on patients maintaining recommended behaviors such as regular physical activity, medication adherence, and heart-healthy dietary practices. However, many patients struggle to sustain these changes after the initial recovery period. Peer-reviewed clinical studies and scholarly literature were analyzed to identify common barriers to adherence and trends in patient behavior during long-term recovery. The reviewed research highlights several key factors influencing adherence, including patient motivation, psychological well-being, physical limitations during recovery, access to cardiac rehabilitation programs, and the level of social support available to patients. By synthesizing existing research, this review aims to better understand the challenges patients face in maintaining recovery behaviors after cardiac surgery. Identifying these patterns may help inform improved post-surgical support strategies, patient education efforts, and healthcare interventions designed to promote sustained recovery and better long-term cardiovascular outcomes.