Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of reducing risk factors for established CAD, by adding a nursing program to conventional treatment based on the Theory of Self-Care.

Methodology: This is a randomized clinical trial in a population consisting of 74 patients who have had a first myocardial infarction. The intervention (Group A) was a program of educational nursing actions. The control group (Group B) was treated conventionally, without nursing intervention. The RF analyzed and submitted to intervention were obesity, hypertension and smoking.

Results: The age of the population ranged from 36 to 69 years. Males predominated (78%). It was observed that after nursing intervention (Group A), through the program of Educational Nursing Actions, the patients in this group had a reduced number of RF compared to Group B (p<0.0140. The number of smokers in the group with additional nursing interventions, was significantly smaller (p<0.003) than in the control group, with an 85% reduction in the intervention group as compared to 33.33% in the control group.

Conclusion: Prevention is a necessary and indispensable health action in fighting RF for CAD. The nursing intervention program implemented in reducing RF was effective, low cost, with a simple methodology and good resolution capacity. Added to medical interventions it may help reduce mortality caused by CAD.

Key Words: Self-Care, Risk Factor, Myocardial Infarction.