Research Center: East Carolina University and The East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU Health Medical Center
Location: 115 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834
Lead Researcher at East Carolina University: Dr. Matt Whited
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the University and Medical Center IRB

Each year, many adults face challenges after experiencing a heart attack or chest pain. Unfortunately, recovery isn’t always straightforward, and improving habits like staying active, eating healthy, or managing medications can feel overwhelming.

This study is investigating whether brief education or a coaching program can help participants improve their depressed mood and work on health behaviors such as quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, or getting better sleep. By joining, you’ll contribute to valuable cardiac research and explore tools that may support your recovery.

Don’t wait—take the first step toward advancing heart health research and see if you qualify today!

• Participants will be compensated for participating in this study. Compensation will only be provided to eligible participants as they complete study visits.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit society in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• You will receive a detailed outline of all details of the study, including treatment, risks, and procedures, and you will be given the chance to ask study staff questions before you decide whether to participate.
• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by the law.

Eligible:

• Men and women aged 18 to 80 years who have been diagnosed with unstable angina or had a heart attack in the last 2 to 12 months
• Must have received care at an ECU Health-affiliated hospital or clinic since the cardiac event
• Must have a phone capable of voice and video calls, a regular primary care doctor, and a mailing address
• Must live within a 90-minute drive of Greenville, NC, and not plan to relocate further away during the study
• Must be able to attend 3 in-person visits at the research site, 1 telephone survey, and 1 to 10 telehealth visits over approximately 6 months

Ineligible:

• Must not have hearing difficulties that interfere with phone or video calls
• Must not be in hospice care
• Must not be currently attending a cardiac rehabilitation program, unless willing to be re-contacted after completion
• Must not be receiving regular counseling or coaching for depression or health-related behavior changes. Counseling for other issues does not affect eligibility.

ECU Health
ECU Health is a major academic health care system with ECU Health’s flagship medical center in Greenville, NC, and outlying hospitals and clinics stretching across the 29 counties of Eastern NC. This study is housed within the East Carolina Heart Institute outpatient center at 115 Heart Drive in Greenville, NC.