Comparing the effectiveness of two cardiovascular prevention programmes for highly educated professionals in general practice: a randomised clinical trial The Sydney Diabetes Prevention Program: A community-based translational study Selection bias in enrollment to a programme aimed at the secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease in general practice: a cohort study. A British Cardiac Society survey of the potential for the secondary prevention of coronary disease: ASPIRE (Action on Secondary Prevention through Intervention to Reduce Events). Cardiac rehabilitation adapted to transient ischaemic attack and stroke (CRAFTS): a randomised controlled trial Systematic Review of the Effect of Diet and Exercise Lifestyle Interventions in the Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease A randomized non-pharmacological intervention study for prevention of ischaemic heart disease: baseline results Inter99 (1) Psychosocial distress and impaired quality of life - targets neglected in the secondary prevention in women with ischaemic heart disease A randomized controlled trial of an extensive lifestyle management intervention (ELMI) following cardiac rehabilitation: study design and baseline data A pharmacist-led follow-up program for patients with established coronary heart disease in North Norway – a randomized controlled trial No excess 12-year mortality in men with impaired glucose tolerance who participated in the Malmö Preventive Trial with diet and exercise Design and rationale of the tobacco, exercise and diet messages (TEXT ME) trial of a text message-based intervention for ongoing prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with coronary disease: a randomised controlled trial protocol Effect of Lifestyle-Focused Text Messaging on Risk Factor Modification in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Skinfold thickness, body mass index and ischaemic heart disease. The effect of post-discharge educational intervention on patients in achieving objectives in modifiable risk factors six months after discharge following an episode of acute coronary syndrome, (CAM-2 Project): a randomized controlled trial Influence on lifestyle measures and five-year coronary risk by a comprehensive lifestyle intervention programme in patients with coronary heart disease Primary prevention of coronary heart disease versus health promotion--a contradiction? The SPHERE Study. Secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice: protocol of a randomised controlled trial of tailored practice and patient care plans with parallel qualitative, economic and policy analyses. [ISRCTN24081411] Lifestyle intervention and one-year prognosis of patients following open heart surgery: a randomised clinical trial. Secondary prevention clinics for coronary heart disease: four year follow up of a randomised controlled trial in primary care Risk factors for sudden cardiac death in middle-aged British men. The effects of Hartcoach, a life style intervention provided by telephone on the reduction of coronary risk factors: a randomised trial Individualised multifactorial lifestyle intervention trial for high-risk cardiovascular patients in primary care. Community health worker-based intervention for adherence to drugs and lifestyle change after acute coronary syndrome: a multicentre, open, randomised controlled trial. The South Asian Heart Lifestyle Intervention (SAHELI) study to improve cardiovascular risk factors in a community setting: design and methods. Do patients with angina alone have a more benign prognosis than patients with a history of acute myocardial infarction, revascularisation or both? Findings from a community cohort study Cultural factors and patients' adherence to lifestyle measures. Therapeutic benefit of preventive telehealth counseling in the Community Outreach Heart Health and Risk Reduction Trial. A cluster randomized trial to assess the impact of opinion leader endorsed evidence summaries on improving quality of prescribing for patients with chronic cardiovascular disease: rationale and design [ISRCTN26365328] Variation in quality of preventive care for well adults in Indigenous community health centres in Australia Association of temporal trends in risk factors and treatment uptake with coronary heart disease mortality, 1994-2005. Effect of screening and lifestyle counselling on incidence of ischaemic heart disease in general population: Inter99 randomised trial Adherence to a guideline on cardiovascular prevention: a comparison between general practitioners and practice nurses. A randomized multifactorial intervention study for prevention of ischaemic heart disease (Inter99): The long-term effect on physical activity Reducing Recurrent Stroke: Methodology of the Motivational Interviewing in Stroke (MIST) Randomized Clinical Trial Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Intervention to Enable Stroke Survivors Throughout the Los Angeles County Safety Net to “Stay With the Guidelines” A randomised, feasibility trial of a tele-health intervention for Acute Coronary Syndrome patients with depression ('MoodCare'): Study protocol The Heartfile Lodhran CVD Prevention Project- end of Project Evaluation Rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial evaluating community health worker-based interventions for the secondary prevention of acute coronary syndromes in India (SPREAD). Mortality and appropriate and inappropriate therapy in patients with ischaemic heart disease and implanted cardioverter-defibrillators for primary prevention: data from the Danish ICD Register. Change in coronary risk and coronary risk factor levels in couples following lifestyle intervention. The British Family Heart Study. Cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction. Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Adults: Synopsis of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cholesterol Guideline Four years of practice-based and exercise-supported behavioural medicine in one community of the German CINDI area. Countrywide Integrated Non-Communicable Diseases Intervention. Effect of postal prompts to patients and general practitioners on the quality of primary care after a coronary event (POST): randomised controlled trial Risk Factors and Secondary Prevention in Women with Heart Disease: The Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study Secondary prevention in coronary heart disease: a randomised trial of nurse led clinics in primary care Pharmacist intervention in the prevention of heart failure for high-risk elderly patients in the community Preventing Recurrence of Thromboembolic Events through Coordinated Treatment in the District of Columbia Eight-year follow-up results from the Rome Project of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention. Research Group of the Rome Project of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention. The Extensive Lifestyle Management Intervention (ELMI) following cardiac rehabilitation trial. A Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: the German CHIP Trial The epidemic of obesity and diabetes: trends and treatments. Improving patient adherence to lifestyle advice (IMPALA): a cluster-randomised controlled trial on the implementation of a nurse-led intervention for cardiovascular risk management in primary care (protocol) The prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes. A Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Program
Background Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and its prevalence is set to increase . While the benefits of medical and lifestyle interventions are established , the effectiveness of interventions which seek to improve the way preventive care is delivered in general practice is less so . The aim was to study and to compare the effectiveness of 2 intervention programmes for reducing cardiovascular risk factors within general practice . Methods A r and omised controlled trial was conducted in Belgium between 2007 - 2010 with 314 highly educated and mainly healthy professionals allocated to a medical ( MP ) or a medical + lifestyle ( MLP ) programme . The MP consisted of medical assessment s ( screening and follow-up ) and the MLP added a tailored lifestyle change programme ( web-based and individual coaching ) to the MP . Primary outcomes were total cholesterol , blood pressure , and body mass index ( BMI ) . The secondary outcomes were smoking status , fitness-score , and total cardiovascular risk . Results The mean age was 41 years , 95 ( 32 % ) participants were female , 7 had a personal cardiovascular event in their medical history and 3 had diabetes . There were no significant differences found between MP and MLP in primary or secondary outcomes . In both study conditions decreases of cholesterol , systolic blood pressure , and diastolic blood pressure were found . Unfavourable increases were found for BMI ( p < .05 ) . A significant decrease of the overall cardiovascular risk was reported ( p < .001 ) . Conclusions Both interventions are effective in reducing cardiovascular risk . In our population the combined medical and lifestyle programme was not superior to the medical programme . Trial registration IS RCT Background Type 2 diabetes is a major public health problem in Australia with prevalence increasing in parallel with increasing obesity . Prevention is an essential component of strategies to reduce the diabetes burden . There is strong and consistent evidence from r and omised controlled trials that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modification which improves diet , increases physical activity and achieves weight loss in at risk people . The current challenge is to translate this evidence into routine community setting s , determine feasible and effective ways of delivering the intervention and providing on-going support to sustain successful behavioural changes . Methods / Design The Sydney Diabetes Prevention Program ( SDPP ) is a translational study which will be conducted in 1,550 participants aged 50 - 65 years ( including 100 indigenous people aged 18 years and older ) at high risk of future development of diabetes . Participants will be identified through a screening and recruitment program delivered through primary care and will be offered a community-based lifestyle modification intervention . The intervention comprises an initial individual session and three group sessions based on behaviour change principles and focuses on five goals : 5 % weight loss , 210 min/week physical activity ( aerobic and strength training exercise ) , limit dietary fat and saturated fat to less than 30 % and 10 % of energy intake respectively , and at least 15 g/1000 kcal dietary fibre . This is followed by 3-monthly contact with participants to review progress and offer ongoing lifestyle advice for 12 months . The effectiveness and costs of the program on diabetes-related risk factors will be evaluated . Main outcomes include changes in weight , physical activity , and dietary changes ( fat , saturated fat and fibre intake ) . Secondary outcomes include changes in waist circumference , fasting plasma glucose , blood pressure , lipids , quality of life , psychological well being , medication use and health service utilization . Discussion This translational study will ascertain the reach , feasibility , effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a lifestyle modification program delivered in a community setting through primary health care . If demonstrated to be effective , it will result in recommendations for policy change and practical methods for a wider community program for preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes in high risk people OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences between adults who participated in a secondary prevention of ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) programme and those who did not . DESIGN Population -based cohort study . SETTING A r and om selection of 12 Irish general practice s. PARTICIPANTS A total of 493 adults with IHD identified in 2000/2001 . INTERVENTION Medical records search and postal question naires in 2000/2001 and 2005/2006 . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Differences in demographic characteristics and indicators of process of care and risk factor management between participants and non- participants . RESULTS Multiple logistic regression confirmed that female gender was associated with a reduced likelihood of participation in the secondary prevention programme [ odds ratio ( OR ) 0.53 ( 95 % CI : 0.32 - 0.87 ) ] , while an adequately controlled total cholesterol level was associated with an increased likelihood of enrollment [ OR 1.82 ( 95 % CI : 1.18 - 2.80 ) ] . CONCLUSIONS There is limited evidence that biases , which have been shown to affect participation in research , also affect participation in care programmes in everyday practice . A gender bias appears to have affected the enrollment of participants for the secondary preventive programme considered by this study , with enrollment favouring men with well-managed cholesterol . Reimbursement dependent upon patient adherence may incentivise the enrollment of adherent patients , although the influence of patient choice is unclear : the need to maintain records relating to patients who opt out of such interventions is thus highlighted OBJECTIVE : To measure the potential for secondary prevention of coronary disease in the United Kingdom . DESIGN : Cross sectional survey of a representative sample of coronary patients from a retrospective review of hospital medical records and patient interview and examination . SETTING : Stratified r and om sample of 12 specialist cardiac centres and 12 district general hospitals drawn from 34 specialist cardiac centres and 261 district general hospitals in 12 geographic areas in the United Kingdom . SUBJECTS : 2583 patients < or = 70 yr ; 25 consecutive males and 25 consecutive females identified retrospectively in each of four diagnostic categories : coronary artery bypass grafting , percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty , acute myocardial infa rct ion , and acute myocardial ischaemia without evidence of infa rct ion . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES : Risk factor recording and management in medical records ; the prevalence and control of risk factors at interview six months after the procedure or event . RESULTS : Recording of coronary risk factors in patient 's records was incomplete and this varied by risk factor . Smoking habit and blood pressure were most completely recorded , whereas a history of hyperlipidaemia and blood cholesterol concentrations were least complete . Risk factor records were more likely to be complete in cardiac centres than in district hospitals . At interview 10 % to 27 % of patients were still smoking cigarettes and 75 % remained overweight , females more severely so . Up to a quarter of patients remained hypertensive , males more severely so than females . Over three quarters had a total cholesterol > 5.2 mmol/l . In patients on medication for blood pressure , cholesterol or glucose , risk factor profiles were little better than in those who were not . Only about one patient in three was taking a beta blocker after infa rct ion . Up to a fifth of patients who had had acute myocardial ischaemia were not taking aspirin at follow up . CONCLUSIONS : There is considerable potential to reduce the risk of a further major ischaemic event in patients with established coronary disease . This can be achieved by effective lifestyle intervention , the rigorous management of blood pressure and cholesterol , and the appropriate use of prophylactic drugs Background Coronary Heart Disease and Cerebrovascular Disease share many predisposing , modifiable risk factors ( hypertension , abnormal blood lipids and lipoproteins , cigarette smoking , physical inactivity , obesity and diabetes mellitus ) . Lifestyle interventions and pharmacological therapy are recognised as the cornerstones of secondary prevention . Cochrane review has proven the benefits of programmes incorporating exercise and lifestyle counselling in the cardiac disease population . A Cochrane review highlighted as priority , the need to establish feasibility and efficacy of exercise based interventions for Cerebrovascular Disease . Methods A single blind r and omised controlled trial is proposed to examine a primary care cardiac rehabilitation programme for adults post transient ischemic attack ( TIA ) and stroke in effecting a positive change in the primary outcome measures of cardiac risk scores derived from Blood Pressure , lipid profile , smoking and diabetic status and lifestyle factors of habitual smoking , exercise and healthy eating participation . Secondary outcomes of interest include health related quality of life as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale , the Stroke Specific Quality of Life scale and WONCA COOP Functional Health Status charts and cardiovascular fitness as measured by a sub-maximal fitness test .  A total of 144 patients , over 18 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or TIA , will be recruited from Dublin community stroke services and two tertiary T.I.A clinics . Exclusion criteria will include oxygen dependence , unstable cardiac conditions , uncontrolled diabetes , major medical conditions , claudication , febrile illness , pregnancy or cognitive impairment . Participants will be block-statified , r and omly allocated to one of two groups using a pre-prepared computer generated r and omisation schedule . Both groups will receive a two hour education class on  risk reduction  post stroke  .  The intervention group will receive a 10 week programme of supervised aerobic exercises ( twice weekly ) and individually tailored brief intervention lifestyle counselling . Both groups will be tested on week one and week ten of the programme . Follow-up at 1 year will assess longer term benefits . Analysis will test for significant changes in the key variables indicated . Discussion Application of the Cardiac Rehabilitation paradigm to patients with ischaemic stroke or TIA has not been explored despite the obvious overlap in aetiology . It is hoped the anticipated improvement in vascular risk factors and fitness result ing from such a programme will enhance health and social gain in this population .Trial Registration Current Controlled Trials ISCTRN90272638 The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions within secondary prevention of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) remains unclear . This systematic review aim ed to determine their effectiveness and included r and omized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions , in primary care or community setting s , with a minimum follow-up of three months , published since 1990 . 21 trials with 10,799 patients were included ; the interventions were multifactorial ( 10 ) , educational ( 4 ) , psychological ( 3 ) , dietary ( 1 ) , organisational ( 2 ) , and exercise ( 1 ) . The overall results for modifiable risk factors suggested improvements in dietary and exercise outcomes but no overall effect on smoking outcomes . In trials that examined mortality and morbidity , significant benefits were reported for total mortality ( in 4 of 6 trials ; overall risk ratio ( RR ) 0.75 ( 95 % confidence intervals ( CI ) 0.65 , 0.87 ) ) , cardiovascular mortality ( 3 of 8 trials ; overall RR 0.63 ( 95 % CI 0.47 , 0.84 ) ) , and nonfatal cardiac events ( 5 of 9 trials ; overall RR 0.68 ( 95 % CI 0.55 , 0.84 ) ) . The heterogeneity between trials and generally poor quality of trials make any concrete conclusions difficult . However , the beneficial effects observed in this review are encouraging and should stimulate further research Background Various strategies have been used to induce lifestyle changes to reduce ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) with various successes . The aim of Inter99 is to assess the effect on IHD incidence of individually tailored non-pharmacological intervention on lifestyle using a newly developed computer-based health educational tool . The article describes the study and baseline results . Methods From a population of 61,301 individuals two r and om sample s ( high intensity intervention group ( A ) , n = 11,708 ; low intensity intervention group ( B ) , n = 1308 ) are screened to assess their absolute risk of IHD . Those at high risk receive individual lifestyle counselling . Individuals in group A are furthermore offered lifestyle counselling in groups on smoking cessation or physical activity/diet over a 6-month period . Individuals in group B are referred to their GP . High-risk persons are re-counselled after 1 and 3 years and the whole group is re-invited after 5 years . The remaining 48,285 ( group C ) are followed by question naire . The total population is followed through central registers . Intermediate end-points are changes in lifestyle , cholesterol , blood pressure and body mass index . Final end-point is reduction in incidence of IHD . Results The r and omization leads to comparable groups . Participation rate was 52.5 % . A total of 60 % fulfilled the predetermined criteria for being at high risk for developing IHD . After an individual lifestyle counselling 41 % accepted group-based counselling . Conclusion This large r and omized population based trial discloses a noticeable need for and acceptance of lifestyle intervention in the general population . Eur J Cardiovasc Prevention Rehab 10:377 - 386 © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Background Secondary prevention in patients with ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) focusing on classical risk factors has been less successful in women than in men . Previous studies have suggested that psychosocial factors may be new targets for secondary prevention . In the present study , psychosocial factors have been compared in women with and without IHD . Methods and subjects Using a cross-sectional comparison , classical cardiovascular risk factors and self-rated stress behaviour , vital exhaustion , stressful life events and quality of life  were assessed in 198 women ( age 35–77 years ) who had IHD and a population -based sample of 206 women ( age 45–74 years ) without IHD . Results Control of classical risk factors was most often adequate in women with IHD . The prevalence of smoking was 9 % in women with versus 18 % in women without IHD ( P < 0.001 ) , blood pressure levels were similar , and a very large share of women with IHD were on treatment with anti-thrombotic , anti-hypertensive and /or lipid-lowering drugs ( P < 0.001 compared with women free of IHD ) . In contrast , women with IHD scored significantly worse than women without IHD in self-rated stress behaviour ( P = 0.003 after adjustment for other possible determinants ) , and in vital exhaustion ( P = 0.003 ) . In univariate analyses , quality of life was significantly worse in women with IHD . Stressful life events did not differ between the two groups . Conclusions In this group of women with IHD , control of classical risk factors was good , whereas control of psychosocial risk factors was clearly inadequate . Secondary prevention by psychosocial intervention in women with IHD should be evaluated in r and omized controlled trials . Eur J Cardiovasc Prevention Rehab 10:258–266 © 2003 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Background Cardiac rehabilitation programs ( CRP ) represent comprehensive interventions that are typically limited to four months . Following completion of CRP , it appears that risk factors and lifestyle behaviours may deteriorate . The Extensive Lifestyle Management Intervention ( ELMI ) Following Cardiac Rehabilitation trial will investigate the benefits of a r and omized intervention to prevent these adverse changes . Methods Patients with ischemic heart disease ( IHD ) were r and omized following a st and ard CRP to the ELMI or to usual care .  The ELMI program is a case-managed intervention aim ed at individualizing risk factor and lifestyle management based on current treatment guidelines . The program consists of cardiac rehabilitation sessions , telephone follow-up and risk factor and lifestyle counselling sessions . Health professionals work with participants using behavioural counselling and communications with participants ' family physicians . Usual care participants return to their family physicians ' care , and come to the study clinic only to undergo annual outcomes assessment . The primary outcome is change in IHD global risk after four years . Secondary outcomes include combined cardiovascular events , health care utilization , lifestyle adherence , quality of life and risk factors . Results Over 28 months , 302 men and women were r and omized . This represented 29 % of the total population screened . The average age of study participants is 64 years , 18 % are women , 53 % have had a previous myocardial infa rct ion , 73 % have undergone previous revascularization and 20 % have diabetes mellitus .  Ischemic heart disease risk factors for the entire cohort improved significantly after subjects had gone through previous CRPs . Baseline risk factors , lifestyle behaviours and medications were similar between the groups . Conclusions This study population is representative of patients completing a st and ard CRP  . Results of the ELMI trial will provide valuable information for the future design of CRPs Objectives : The aim of the study was twofold ; 1 ) to develop a clinical pharmacist-led 12 month lasting follow-up program for patients with established coronary heart disease ( CHD ) discharged from the University Hospital of North Norway , and 2 ) to explore the impact of the program with regards to adherence to a medication assessment tool for secondary prevention of CHD and change in biomedical risk factors . Methods : A total of 102 patients aged 18 - 82 years were enrolled in a non-blinded r and omized controlled trial with an intervention group and a control group . The intervention comprised medication reconciliation , medication review and patient education during three meetings ; at discharge , after three months and after twelve months . The control group received st and ard care from their general practitioner . Primary outcomes were adherence to clinical guideline recommendations concerning prescription , therapy goal achievement and lifestyle education  defined in the medication assessment tool for secondary prevention of CHD ( MAT-CHDSP ) . Secondary outcomes included changes in the biomedical risk factors cholesterol , blood pressure and blood glucose . Results : Ninety-four patients completed the trial , 48 intervention group patients and 46 controls . Appropriate prescribing was high , but therapy goal achievement was low in both groups . Overall adherence to MAT-CHDSP criteria increased in both groups and was significantly higher in the intervention group at study end , 78.4 % vs. 62.0 % , p<0.001 . The difference was statistically significant for the documented lifestyle advices in intervention group patients . No significant improvements in biomedical risk factors were observed in favor of the intervention group . Conclusions : The study showed an increased guideline adherence in both study groups . This indicates that attention to clinical practice guideline recommendations in itself increases adherence – which may be a clinical pharmacist task . A larger adequately powered study is needed to show a significant difference in biomedical risk factor improvements in favor of the intervention . Amendments to the follow-up program are suggested before implementation in st and ard patient care can be recommended Summary Impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT ) is associated with increased mortality due to ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) , but as it is not known whether this excess mortality can be reduced by preventing or delaying the development of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM ) , a long-term NIDDM prevention trial of dietary counselling and physical exercise was launched at Malmö , Sweden , the 12-year follow-up of which is reported here . At 12-year follow-up of 6956 men who underwent health screening at 48 years of age , an IGT intervention group ( n = 288 ) who participated in a long-term NIDDM prevention programme were compared with an IGT non-r and omised routine treatment group ( n = 135 ) , a diabetic group ( n = 144 ) , and the remainder , the normal glucose tolerance ( NGT ) group ( n = 6389 ) . The variables studied included the levels of blood glucose , plasma insulin , blood pressure , blood lipids , lung function and maximum oxygen uptake .  Subjects with IGT were characterised by overweight , poor vital capacity , hypertension , hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperinsulinaemia . The mortality rate in the IGT intervention group was similar to that in the NGT group ( 6.5 vs 6.2 per 1000 person years at risk ) and lower than that in the IGT routine treatment group ( 6.5 vs 14.0 , p = 0.009 ) . In the two IGT groups taken together , intervention but not body mass index , systolic blood pressure , smoking , cholesterol or the 2-h glucose level predicted mortality . Systolic blood pressure was a predictor of IHD mortality among IGT subjects ; and in the cohort as a whole , body mass index , systolic blood pressure , hypercholesterolaemica , diabetes and smoking were predictors of IHD mortality . The findings suggest that a long-term intervention programme , with an emphasis on lifestyle changes , including dietary counselling and physical exercise , will reduce mortality in subjects with IGT who are at an increased risk of both developing NIDDM and of premature death due to IHD and other causes . [ Diabetologia ( 1998 ) 41 : 1010–1016 Background Although supporting lifestyle change is an effective way of preventing further events in people with cardiovascular disease , providing access to such interventions is a major challenge . This study aims to investigate whether simple reminders about behaviour change sent via mobile phone text message decrease cardiovascular risk . Methods and analysis R and omised controlled trial with 6 months of follow-up to evaluate the feasibility , acceptability and effect on cardiovascular risk of repeated lifestyle reminders sent via mobile phone text messages compared to usual care .  A total of 720 patients with coronary artery disease will be r and omised to either st and ard care or the TEXT ME intervention . The intervention group will receive multiple weekly text messages that provide information , motivation , support to quit smoking ( if relevant ) and recommendations for healthy diets and exercise . The primary end point is a change in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at 6 months . Secondary end points include a change in systolic blood pressure , smoking status , quality of life , medication adherence , waist circumference , physical activity levels , nutritional status and mood at 6 months . Process outcomes related to acceptability and feasibility of TEXT ME will also be collected . Ethics and dissemination Primary ethics approval was received from Western Sydney Local Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee — Westmead . Results will be disseminated via the usual scientific forums including peer- review ed publications and presentations at international conferences . Clinical trials registration number ACTRN12611000161921 IMPORTANCE Cardiovascular disease prevention , including lifestyle modification , is important but underutilized . Mobile health strategies could address this gap but lack evidence of therapeutic benefit . OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of a lifestyle-focused semipersonalized support program delivered by mobile phone text message on cardiovascular risk factors . DESIGN AND SETTING The Tobacco , Exercise and Diet Messages ( TEXT ME ) trial was a parallel-group , single-blind , r and omized clinical trial that recruited 710 patients ( mean age , 58 [ SD , 9.2 ] years ; 82 % men ; 53 % current smokers ) with proven coronary heart disease ( prior myocardial infa rct ion or proven angiographically ) between September 2011 and November 2013 from a large tertiary hospital in Sydney , Australia . INTERVENTIONS Patients in the intervention group ( n = 352 ) received 4 text messages per week for 6 months in addition to usual care . Text messages provided advice , motivational reminders , and support to change lifestyle behaviors . Patients in the control group ( n=358 ) received usual care . Messages for each participant were selected from a bank of messages according to baseline characteristics ( eg , smoking ) and delivered via an automated computerized message management system . The program was not interactive . MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point was low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) level at 6 months . Secondary end points included systolic blood pressure , body mass index ( BMI ) , physical activity , and smoking status . RESULTS At 6 months , levels of LDL-C were significantly lower in intervention participants , with concurrent reductions in systolic blood pressure and BMI , significant increases in physical activity , and a significant reduction in smoking . The majority reported the text messages to be useful ( 91 % ) , easy to underst and ( 97 % ) , and appropriate in frequency ( 86 % ) . [ table : see text ] . CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with coronary heart disease , the use of a lifestyle-focused text messaging service compared with usual care result ed in a modest improvement in LDL-C level and greater improvement in other cardiovascular disease risk factors . The duration of these effects and hence whether they result in improved clinical outcomes remain to be determined . TRIAL REGISTRATION anzctr.org.au Identifier : ACTRN12611000161921 STUDY OBJECTIVE : To determine the relationship between obesity and subsequent incidence of ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) .  DESIGN : Prospect i ve cohort survey . SETTING : Study of three occupational groups , with follow up examinations . SUBJECTS : 3500 people recruited between 1972 and 1978 ( 80 % response rate ) , and followed up between 1978 and 1984 . This report is based on subgroup of 1511 white men aged 40 - 64 at entry . MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS : Information was obtained on smoking and family history of IHD . Blood pressure , weight , height , skinfold thickness at four sites , fibrinogen , factor VII activity and cholesterol were measured during follow up . Body mass index ( BMI ) was used as an index of obesity . BMI was found to be more strongly correlated with IHD than any of the skinfold measurements , none of which was significantly associated with IHD when BMI was allowed for . Increase in BMI by 1 SD ( approximately 8 kg ) was associated with a 44 % increase in the risk of IHD . Of the four skinfolds , subscapular was the most closely associated with risk , confirming the relevance of central obesity . The association between obesity and IHD remained when possible mechanisms for its effects were taken into account , and its strength may increase with time : for 1 SD increase in BMI , risk of events within 5 years was increased by 28 % , while risk of events after longer than 5 years was increased by 65 % . CONCLUSIONS : Preventive strategies for IHD should include avoidance of obesity Objectives We investigated whether an intervention mainly consisting of a signed agreement between patient and physician on the objectives to be reached , improves reaching these secondary prevention objectives in modifiable cardiovascular risk factors six-months after discharge following an acute coronary syndrome . Background There is room to improve mid-term adherence to clinical guidelines ' recommendations in coronary heart disease secondary prevention , specially non-pharmacological ones , often neglected . Methods In CAM-2 , patients discharged after an acute coronary syndrome were r and omly assigned to the intervention or the usual care group . The primary outcome was reaching therapeutic objectives in various secondary prevention variables : smoking , obesity , blood lipids , blood pressure control , exercise and taking of medication . Results 1757 patients were recruited in 64 hospitals and 1510 ( 762 in the intervention and 748 in the control group ) attended the six-months follow-up visit . After adjustment for potentially important variables , there were , between the intervention and control group , differences in the mean reduction of body mass index ( 0.5 vs. 0.2 ; p < 0.001 ) and waist circumference ( 1.6 cm vs. 0.6 cm ; p = 0.05 ) , proportion of patients who exercise regularly and those with total cholesterol below 175 mg/dl ( 64.7 % vs. 56.5 % ; p = 0.001 ) . The reported intake of medications was high in both groups for all the drugs considered with no differences except for statins ( 98.1 % vs. 95.9 % ; p = 0.029 ) . Conclusions At least in the short term , lifestyle changes among coronary heart disease patients are achievable by intensifying the responsibility of the patient himself by means of a simple and feasible intervention Background Lifestyle measures of coronary heart disease ( CHD ) prevention have been overshadowed by the efficacy of drug treatments . This is particularly the case in the setting of secondary prevention where the benefits of lipid lowering , anti-platelet and anti-hypertensive drugs have been emphasised in numerous trials . Lifestyle measures address several CHD risk factors at once and are generally free of serious side effects . Objectives The objective of the present study was to determine whether a comprehensive programme of lifestyle modification could favourably influence dietary and exercise habits in addition to smoking cessation over two years . In addition , an attempt was made to evaluate if this programme could favourably influence the five-year CHD-risk in the male population included in the study . Design A total of 197 patients with proven coronary heart disease were included and r and omised to a lifestyle intervention programme or to usual care . Follow-up was after a period of two years . Methods Intervention comprised a low fat diet , regular exercise , smoking cessation , psychosocial support and education , delivered by nurses on the rationale for pharmacological and lifestyle measures . Usual care comprised follow-up in the routine outpatient clinic . Both groups were given the same comprehensive medication according to recent guidelines . Results Patients in the lifestyle intervention group reduced the intake of saturated fat , sugar and cholesterol ( P<0.001 ) , increased their exercise level ( P<0.01 ) and stopped smoking ( P<0.05 ) when compared with the usual care group . A sub analysis of the influence of five-year CHD calculated risk in males result ed in a relative risk reduction of 22 % ( 95 % confidence intervals 9 - 35 ) . Although significant , this result must be interpreted with caution due to poor statistical power and reproducibility of the method . Conclusions In the presence of modern drug treatments for secondary cardiovascular disease prevention it remains possible through a favourable diet , exercise and smoking cessation to show an additional reduction in the five-year risk for CHD in males The German Cardiovascular Prevention Study is a multicentre community-based intervention study with the primary goal of reducing cardiovascular mortality by primary prevention measures . The intervention strategy comprises improving people 's life styles as well as health promotion so as to modify cardiovascular risk factors ( hypercholesterolemia , cigarette smoking , arterial hypertension , physical inactivity and over-weight ) . Design elements of the German Cardiovascular Prevention Study , now in its fifth year , were adopted from well known community intervention studies , including monitoring of mortality and morbidity , health examination surveys to assess distribution of cardiovascular risk factors , health attitudes and health behaviour in the community and use of formative and process evaluation to monitor the effects of intervention policies in the community . To identify risk factor profiles a cluster analysis was carried out from survey data . Four clusters were identified : a ) people with none or few risk factors ; b ) those with high prevalence of smoking ; c ) those with high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension ; d ) high risk factor exposure individuals . The clusters are different along social indicators like age , sex and social status . Process evaluation data show that special strategies like interventive blood pressure screenings reached a relatively high proportion of people from lower socioeconomic status . But they also indicate that there is a long way to go from publicity of intervention programs to lasting changes in behaviour Background The aim of the SPHERE study is to design , implement and evaluate tailored practice and personal care plans to improve the process of care and objective clinical outcomes for patients with established coronary heart disease ( CHD ) in general practice across two different health systems on the isl and of Irel and .CHD is a common cause of death and a significant cause of morbidity in Irel and . Secondary prevention has been recommended as a key strategy for reducing levels of CHD mortality and general practice has been highlighted as an ideal setting for secondary prevention initiatives . Current indications suggest that there is considerable room for improvement in the provision of secondary prevention for patients with established heart disease on the isl and of Irel and . The review literature recommends structured programmes with continued support and follow-up of patients ; the provision of training , tailored to practice needs of access to evidence of effectiveness of secondary prevention ; structured recall programmes that also take account of individual practice needs ; and patient-centred consultations accompanied by attention to disease management guidelines . Methods SPHERE is a cluster r and omised controlled trial , with practice -level r and omisation to intervention and control groups , recruiting 960 patients from 48 practice s in three study centres ( Belfast , Dublin and Galway ) . Primary outcomes are blood pressure , total cholesterol , physical and mental health status ( SF-12 ) and hospital re-admissions . The intervention takes place over two years and data is collected at baseline , one-year and two-year follow-up . Data is obtained from medical charts , consultations with practitioners , and patient postal question naires . The SPHERE intervention involves the implementation of a structured systematic programme of care for patients with CHD attending general practice . It is a multi-faceted intervention that has been developed to respond to barriers and solutions to optimal secondary prevention identified in preliminary qualitative research with practitioners and patients . General practitioners and practice nurses attend training sessions in facilitating behaviour change and medication prescribing guidelines for secondary prevention of CHD . Patients are invited to attend regular four-monthly consultations over two years , during which targets and goals for secondary prevention are set and review ed . The analysis will be strengthened by economic , policy and qualitative components AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the one-year prognosis of a lifestyle counselling intervention ( diet , smoking cessation and exercise ) among patients who had open heart surgery . BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity worldwide in both developing and developed countries . Lifestyle modification plays an important role for patients who are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease and for those with an established cardiovascular disease . DESIGN R and omised , nonblind and lifestyle counselling intervention study with a one-year follow-up . METHODS A r and omised , nonblind intervention study was performed on 500 patients who had open heart surgery . After hospital discharge , 250 patients ( intervention group ) were r and omly allocated lifestyle counselling according to the recent guidelines provided by the European Society of Cardiology ( European Journal Preventive Cardiology , 19 , 2012 , 585 ) . The remaining 250 patients ( control group ) received the regular instructions . Primary end-point was the development of a cardiovascular disease ( nonfatal event ) during the first year ; secondary end-points included fatal events , smoking abstinence , dietary habits and a physical activity evaluation . RESULTS According to the primary end-point , the odds of having a nonfatal cardiovascular disease event are 0·56-times ( 95%CI 0·28 , 0·96 , p = 0·03 ) lower for the intervention group compared to the control group . One-year after surgery , it was found that participants in the intervention group were 1·96-times ( 95%CI 1·31 , 2·93 , p < 0·001 ) more likely to achieve dietary recommendations , 3·32-times ( 95%CI 2·24 , 4·91 , p < 0·001 ) more likely to achieve physical activity recommendations and 1·34-times ( 95%CI 1·15 , 1·56 , p < 0·001 ) more likely to return to work . CONCLUSION Lifestyle counselling intervention following open heart surgery can improve health outcomes and reduce the risk of a new cardiac event . Health care services must recommend and organise well-structured cardiac rehabilitation programmes adjusted to the patient 's needs . RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE A well-structured cardiac rehabilitation programme adjusted to the patient 's profile is a safe and cost-effective way to improve patients ' outcome Abstract Objectives : To evaluate the effects of nurse led clinics in primary care on secondary prevention , total mortality , and coronary event rates after four years . Design : Follow up of a r and omised controlled trial by postal question naires and review of case notes and national data sets . Setting : Stratified , r and om sample of 19 general practice s in north east Scotl and . Participants : 1343 patients ( 673 intervention and 670 control ) under 80 years with a working diagnosis of coronary heart disease but without terminal illness or dementia and not housebound . Intervention : Nurse led secondary prevention clinics promoted medical and lifestyle components of secondary prevention and offered regular follow up for one year . Main outcome measures : Components of secondary prevention ( aspirin , blood pressure management , lipid management , healthy diet , exercise , non-smoking ) , total mortality , and coronary events ( non-fatal myocardial infa rct ions and coronary deaths ) . Results : Mean follow up was at 4.7 years . Significant improvements were shown in the intervention group in all components of secondary prevention except smoking at one year , and these were sustained after four years except for exercise . The control group , most of whom attended clinics after the initial year , caught up before final follow up , and differences between groups were no longer significant . At 4.7 years , 100 patients in the intervention group and 128 in the control group had died : cumulative death rates were 14.5 % and 18.9 % , respectively ( P=0.038 ) . 100 coronary events occurred in the intervention group and 125 in the control group : cumulative event rates were 14.2 % and 18.2 % , respectively ( P=0.052 ) . Adjusting for age , sex , general practice , and baseline secondary prevention , proportional hazard ratios were 0.75 for all deaths ( 95 % confidence intervals 0.58 to 0.98 ; P=0.036 ) and 0.76 for coronary events ( 0.58 to 1.00 ; P=0.049 ) Conclusions : Nurse led secondary prevention improved medical and lifestyle components of secondary prevention and this seemed to lead to significantly fewer total deaths and probably fewer coronary events .  Secondary prevention clinics should be started sooner rather than later . What is already known on this topic Several effective interventions exist for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease , but implementing them in practice has proved difficult Secondary prevention programmes for coronary heart disease have improved short term outcomes such as processes of care and quality of life What this study adds Short term improvements in uptake of secondary prevention produced by nurse led clinics are maintained in the longer term Improved medical and lifestyle components of secondary prevention produced by nurse led clinics seem to lead to fewer total deaths and coronary BACKGROUND Risk factors specific to sudden cardiac death ( SCD ) , ie , death within 1 hour after onset of symptoms , have been poorly identified , although recent findings from the present study incriminate heavy drinking and elevated heart rate . This paper examines the relations between a wide range of established and potential risk factors for ischemic heart disease ( IHD ) and SCD to identify independent risk factors for SCD and factors that might particularly or specifically relate to SCD . METHODS AND RESULTS We present a prospect i ve study of a cohort that was drawn from general practice s in 24 British towns of 7735 middle-aged men who were followed up for 8 years . During 8 years of follow-up , the men experienced 488 major IHD events ( nonfatal and fatal ) , of which 117 ( 24 % ) were classified as SCD . Age , preexisting IHD , arrhythmia , systolic blood pressure , blood cholesterol , elevated heart rate ( > or = 90 beats per minute ) , physical activity ( all , P < .05 ) , and , to a lesser extent , smoking ( P = .06 ) , HDL cholesterol ( P < .07 ) , and elevated hematocrit ( > or = 46 % , P < .09 ) emerged as independent risk factors for SCD after adjustment for a wide range of factors . Diabetes was not found to be associated with SCD , and forced expiratory volume in 1 second , body mass index , white blood cell count , and antihypertensive drugs were not associated with risk of SCD after adjustment . When examined in relation to non-sudden IHD deaths and nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion , elevated heart rate , heavy drinking , and arrhythmia emerged as factors that appear to be specific or particular to SCD . These three factors and age and blood cholesterol were associated with an increased risk of SCD in men both with and without preexisting IHD .  Physical activity , systolic blood pressure , and current smoking were associated with SCD only in men without preexisting IHD . HDL cholesterol and hematocrit were strong predictors of SCD only in men with preexisting IHD . CONCLUSIONS Three risk factors appear to be specific or particular to the risk of SCD , and these and other risk factors operate differently in patients with versus those without preexisting IHD . These findings have implication s for the causes and prevention of SCD Background Cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) is the leading cause of death worldwide . Secondary prevention is essential , but participation rates for cardiac rehabilitation are low . Furthermore , current programmes do not accomplish that patients with CVD change their lifestyle in a way that their individual risk factors for recurrent events decrease , therefore more effective interventions are needed . In this study , the effectiveness of the Hartcoach-programme , a telephonic secondary prevention program focussing on self management , is studied . Methods / design A multicenter , r and omised parallel-group study is being conducted . Participants are 400 patients with acute myocardial infa rct ion ( STEMI , NSTEMI , ) and patients with chronic or unstable angina pectoris ( IAP ) . Patients are recruited through the participating hospitals and r and omly assigned to the experimental group ( Hartcoach-programme plus usual care ) or the control group ( usual care).The Hartcoach-programme consists of a period of six months during which the coach contacts the patient every four to six weeks by telephone . Coaches train patients to take responsibility for the achievement and maintenance of the defined target levels for their particular individual modifiable risk factors . Target levels and treatment goals are agreed by the nurse and patient together . Data collection is blinded and occurs at baseline and after 26 weeks ( post-intervention ) . Primary outcome is change in cardiovascular risk factors ( cholesterol , body mass index , waist circumference , blood pressure , physical activity and diet ) . Secondary outcomes include chances in glucose , HbA1c , medication adherence , self-management and quality of life . Discussion This study evaluates the effects of the Hartcoach-programme on the reduction of individual risk factors of patients with CVDs . Patients who are not invited to follow a hospital based rehabilitation programme or patients who are unable to adhere to such a programme , may be reached by this home based Hartcoach-programme . If positive results are found , the implementation of the Hartcoach-programme will be extended , having implication s for the management of many people with CVD.Trial registration BACKGROUND The multiprofessional teams in Finnish health centres are well placed to carry out interventions aim ed at the prevention of cardiovascular diseases . AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of an individually tailored multifactorial lifestyle intervention in primary care for individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease . DESIGN OF STUDY A r and omised controlled trial was conducted over 24 months with interim assessment s at six and 12 months . SETTING A health centre in Finl and with a patient population of 11,000 . METHOD One hundred and fifty adults aged 18 to 65 years old with existing cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors were r and omised to active multiprofessional risk factor intervention or to st and ard care . The main outcome measure was a change in cardiovascular risk-factor score . Secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure , weight , body-mass index , serum cholesterol , blood glucose , smoking cessation , and exercise habits . RESULTS The cardiovascular risk score decreased by 28 % in the intervention group ( 23 % in the control group ) , body weight decreased by 3.7 % ( 2 % ) and total cholesterol decreased by 10.8 % ( 6.5 % ) , while time engaged in exercise increased by 39 % ( 43 % ) . Differences were not significant . CONCLUSIONS Cardiovascular risk levels of high-risk individuals decreased in both intervention and control groups . Primary care prevention should be targeted to high-risk persons . Long-term follow-up studies are needed BACKGROUND Adherence to drugs and healthy lifestyles is low after acute coronary syndrome . We assessed whether trained community health workers could improve adherence to drugs , lifestyle changes , and clinical risk markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome in India . METHODS In this study done at 14 hospitals in India we r and omly assigned ( 1:1 ) patients with acute coronary syndrome 1 or 2 days before discharge from hospital to a community health worker-based intervention group or a st and ard care group . Patients were r and omly assigned with a telephone r and omisation service . In the intervention group , during four in-hospital and two home visits , community health workers used unstructured discussion s , visual methods , and patient diaries to educate patients on healthy lifestyle and drugs , and measures to enhance adherence . The primary outcome was adherence to proven secondary prevention drugs ( antiplatelet drugs , β blockers , angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers , and statins )  estimated using a Composite Medication Adherence Scale at 1 year . The secondary outcomes were difference in lifestyle factors ( diet , exercise , and tobacco and alcohol use ) , and clinical risk markers ( blood pressure , bodyweight , BMI , heart rate , and lipids ) . All analyses were by intention to treat . This trial is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India , number REF/2013/03/004737 , and Clinical Trials.gov , number NCT01207700 . RESULTS Between Aug 23 , 2011 , and June 25 , 2012 , 806 participants were r and omly assigned ( 405 to a community health worker-based intervention group and 401 to a st and ard care group ) . At 1 year , 40 patients had died and 15 had discontinued or been lost to follow-up , so 750 ( 93 % ) were included in the analyses ( 375 in each group ) . Secondary prevention drugs prescribed at discharge were 98 % ( 786/803 ) for any antiplatelet drug , 79 % ( 638/803 ) for dual antiplatelet drugs , 69 % ( 555/803 ) for β blockers , 69 % ( 552/803 ) for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers , and 95 % ( 762/803 ) for statins  . At one year , overall adherence ( ≥80 % ) to prescribed evidence -based drugs was higher in the intervention group than in the control group ( 97 % vs 92 % , odds ratio [ OR ] 2·62 , 95 % CI 1·32 - 5·19 ; p=0·006 ) . For individual drugs , we recorded significant differences for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers ( 97 % [ 233/240 ] in the intervention group vs 93 % [ 223/240 ] in the control group ; p=0·036 ) and statins ( 97 % [ 346/356 ] vs 93 % [ 321/345 ] ; p=0·011 ) . The intervention group had significantly greater adherence to smoking cessation  ( 85 % [ 110/129 ] vs 52 % [ 71/138 ] , OR 5·46 , 95 % CI 3·03 - 9·86 ; p<0·0001 ) , regular physical activity ( 89 % [ 333/375 ] vs 60 % [ 226/375 ] , OR 5·23 , 95 % CI 3·57 - 7·66 ; p<0·0001 ) , and healthy diet  ( score 5·0 vs 3·0 , OR 2·47 , 95 % CI 1·88 - 3·25 ; p<0·0001 ) . More patients in the intervention group had stopped alcohol use at 1 year ( 87 % [ 64/74 ] vs 46 % [ 46/67 ] , OR 2·92 , 95 % CI 1·26 - 6·79 ; p = 0·010 ) . At 1 year , the mean systolic blood pressure ( 124·4 mm Hg [ SD 13·5 ] vs 128·0 mm Hg [ 15·9 ] ; p=0·002 ) , weight ( 65·0 kg [ 11·0 ] vs 66·5 kg [ 11·5 ] ; p<0·0001 ) , cholesterol ( 157·0 [ 40·2 ] vs 166·9 [ 48·4 ] ; p=0·184 ) , LDL ( 81·0 [ 20·6 ] vs 87·3 [ 29·9 ] ; p=0·191 ) , HDL ( 42·0 [ 11·4 ] vs 38·2 [ 6·5 ] ; p=0·042 ) , and BMI ( 24·4 kg/m(2 ) [ SD 3·7 ] vs 25·0 kg/m(2 ) [ 3·8 ] ; p<0·0001 ) were lower in the intervention group than in the control group . However , we noted no significant difference in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate . INTERPRETATION A community health worker-based personalised intervention strategy in patients with acute coronary syndrome  improved adherence to evidence -based drugs and healthy lifestyles , and result ed in an improvement in clinical risk markers . Integration of trained community health workers can improve secondary prevention in coronary artery disease . FUNDING US National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute ( NHLBI ) , National Institutes of Health , Department of Health and Human Services , and the UnitedHealth group , USA Disseminating and implementing evidence -based , cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) prevention lifestyle interventions in community setting s and in ethnic minority population s is a challenge . We describe the design and methods for the South Asian Heart Lifestyle Intervention ( SAHELI ) study , a pilot study design ed to determine the feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally-targeted , community-based lifestyle intervention to improve physical activity and diet behaviors among medically underserved South Asians ( SAs ) . Participants with at least one CVD risk factor will be r and omized to either a lifestyle intervention or a control group .  Participants in both groups will be screened in a community setting and receive a primary care referral after r and omization . Intervention participants will receive 6weeks of group classes , followed by 12weeks of individual telephone support where they will be encouraged to initiate and maintain a healthy lifestyle goal . Control participants will receive their screening results and monthly mailings on CVD prevention . Primary outcomes will be changes in moderate/vigorous physical activity and saturated fat intake between baseline , 3- , and 6-month follow-up . Secondary outcomes will be changes in weight , clinical risk factors , primary care visits , self-efficacy , and social support . This study will be one of the first to pilot-test a lifestyle intervention for SAs , one of the fastest growing racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. and one with disparate CVD risk . Results of this pilot study will provide preliminary data about the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention on CVD risk in SAs and inform community-engaged CVD prevention efforts in an increasingly diverse U.S. population Aim : To compare prognosis for patients with a diagnosis of angina alone to patients postacute myocardial infa rct ion ( AMI ) and /or revascularisation and /or angina . Design : Community-based retrospective cohort study . Setting : A r and om selection of 37 Irish general practice s. Participants : 1,609 adults with ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) identified in 2000/1 . Intervention : Medical records search es and postal question naires in 2000/1 and 2005/6 . Outcome measures : Primary : all-cause and IHD-related mortality . Secondary :  acute myocardial infa rct ion ( AMI ) , cardiac artery bypass grafting ( CABG ) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty ( PTCA ) ; physical and mental health status as measured by SF36 and SF12 ; process of care measurements and behavioural risk factor outcomes . Results : Compared with patients with previous AMI and /or revascularisation , patients with angina alone had slightly lower risks of all-cause and IHD-related death : however , although hazard ratios of 0.73 ( 95 % CI 0.55 to 0.98 ) and 0.65 ( 95 % CI 0.44 to 0.98 ) , respectively , were significant at the p<0.05 level , they were not significant at the p<0.01 level currently suggested as appropriate in observational research . Proportional hazards models identified no statistically significant differences in adjusted risks of subsequent AMI , CABG or PTCA between patients with angina-alone and those with other IHD . Over the 4.5-year follow-up , physical functioning was consistently lower among those with angina alone , and the extent to which physical functioning was increasingly impaired was slightly greater . Conclusions : Prognosis to death or cardiac outcomes for patients with angina alone was similar to those with previous AMI and /or revascularisation , while health status was poorer . The clinical importance of angina should not be underestimated in primary care . Further descriptive research is needed among representative community cohorts of people with angina BACKGROUND Non-adherence to preventive and therapeutic lifestyle recommendations among patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease is more prevalent and varied than previously thought . The problem needs to be addressed by those who are involved in the care of these patients . AIM To measure adherence and barriers of complying with lifestyle recommendations among patients with high cardiovascular risk factors . DESIGN OF STUDY Prospect i ve study . SETTING Six family- practice health centres in Kuwait . METHOD Data are from 334 Kuwaiti adult males and females with hypertension , type 2 diabetes , or both , who completed a routine clinic visit in one of six family practice centres . Trained staff used a structured question naire to obtain a detailed medical history regarding exercise habits and barriers to compliance with diet and exercise programmes . Clinical criteria assessed were height , weight , and the control of blood pressure and blood sugar . RESULTS From the study sample , 63.5 % of patients reported that they were not adhering to any diet regimen , 64.4 % were not participating in regular exercise , and 90.4 % were overweight and obese . The main barriers to adherence to diet were unwillingness ( 48.6 % ) , difficulty adhering to a diet different from that of the rest of the family ( 30.2 % ) , and social gatherings ( 13.7 % ) . The main barriers to adherence to exercise were lack of time ( 39.0 % ) , coexisting diseases ( 35.6 % ) , and adverse weather conditions ( 27.8 % ) . Factors interfering with adherence to lifestyle measures among the total sample were traditional Kuwaiti food , which is high in fat and calories ( 79.9 % ) , stress ( 70.7 % ) , a high consumption of fast food ( 54.5 % ) , high frequency of social gatherings ( 59.6 % ) , abundance of maids ( 54.1 % ) , and excessive use of cars ( 83.8 % ) . CONCLUSION The majority of individuals in the sample were overweight , did not engage in recommended levels of physical activity , and did not follow dietary recommendations . Additional cultural and demographic variables need to be considered to improve adherence to lifestyle measures We evaluated whether telehealth counseling augments lifestyle change and risk factor decrease in subjects at high risk for primary or secondary cardiovascular events compared to a recommended guideline for brief preventive counseling . Subjects at high risk or with coronary heart disease ( 35 to 74 years of age , n = 680 ) were r and omized to active control ( risk factor feedback , brief advice , h and outs ) or telehealth lifestyle counseling ( active control plus 6 weekly 1-hour teleconferenced sessions to groups of 4 to 8 subjects ) . Primary outcome was question naire assessment of adherence to daily exercise/physical activity and diet ( daily vegetable and fruit intake and restriction of fat and salt ) after treatment and at 6-month follow-up . Secondary outcomes were systolic and diastolic blood pressures , ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , and 10-year absolute risk for coronary disease . After treatment and at 6-month follow-up , adherence increased for telehealth versus control in exercise ( 29.3 % and 18.4 % vs 2.5 % and 9.3 % , respectively , odds ratio 1.60 , 95 % confidence interval 1.2 to 2.1 ) and diet ( 37.1 % and 38.1 % vs 16.7 % and 33.3 % , respectively , odds ratio 1.41 , 95 % confidence interval 1.1 to 1.9 ) . Telehealth versus control had greater 6-month decreases in blood pressure ( mean ± SE , systolic -4.8 ± 0.8 vs -2.8 ± 0.9 mm Hg , p = 0.04 ; diastolic -2.7 ± 0.5 vs -1.5 ± 0.6 mm Hg , p = 0.04 ) . Decreases in cholesterol ratio and 10-year absolute risk were significant for the 2 groups . In conclusion , telehealth counseling augments therapeutic lifestyle change in subjects at high risk for cardiovascular events compared to a recommended guideline for brief preventive counseling Background Although much has been written about the influence of local opinion leaders on clinical practice , there have been few controlled studies of their effect , and almost none have attempted to change prescribing in the community for chronic conditions such as heart failure ( HF ) or ischemic heart disease ( IHD ) . These two conditions are common and there is very good evidence about how to best prevent morbidity and mortality – and good evidence that quality of care is , in general , suboptimal . Practice audits have demonstrated that about one-half of eligible HF patients are prescribed ACE inhibitors ( with fewer still reaching appropriate target doses ) and less than one-third of patients with established IHD are prescribed statins ( with many fewer reaching recommended cholesterol targets ) . It is apparent that interventions to improve quality of prescribing are urgently needed . We hypothesized that an intervention that consisted of patient-specific one-page evidence summaries , generated and then endorsed by local opinion leaders , would be able to change prescribing practice s of community-based primary care physicians . Methods ( study design ) A pragmatic single-centre cluster r and omized controlled trial comparing an opinion leader-based intervention to usual care for patients with HF or IHD . R and omization will be clustered at the level of the primary care physician ; as the design effect is anticipated to be negligible , the unit of analysis will be the patient . Patients with HF or IHD ( not receiving ACE inhibitors or statins , respectively ) will be recruited from community pharmacies and allocated to intervention or usual care  based on the r and omization status of their primary care physician . The primary outcome is improvement in prescription of proven efficacious therapies for HF ( ACE inhibitors ) or IHD ( statins )  within 6 months of the intervention . Conclusion If the methods used in this intervention are found to improve prescribing practice s , similar interventions could be design ed for other chronic conditions dealt with in the outpatient setting Background Early onset and high prevalence of chronic disease among Indigenous Australians call for action on prevention . However , there is deficiency of information on the extent to which preventive services are delivered in Indigenous communities . This study examined the variation in quality of preventive care for well adults attending Indigenous community health centres in Australia . Methods During 2005 - 2009 , clinical audits were conducted on a r and om sample ( stratified by age and sex ) of records of adults with no known chronic disease in 62 Indigenous community health centres in four Australian States/Territories ( sample size 1839 ) . Main outcome measures : i ) adherence to delivery of guideline -scheduled services within the previous 24 months , including basic measurements , laboratory investigations , oral health checks , and brief intervention on lifestyle modification ;  and ii ) follow-up of abnormal findings . Results Overall delivery of guideline -scheduled preventive services varied widely between health centres ( range 5 - 74 % ) . Documentation of abnormal blood pressure reading ( [ greater than or equal to]140/90 mmHg ) , proteinuria and abnormal blood glucose ( [ greater than or equal to]5.5 mmol/L ) was found to range between 0 and > 90 % at the health centre level . A similarly wide range was found between health centres for documented follow up check/test or management plan for people documented to have an abnormal clinical finding . Health centre level characteristics explained 13 - 47 % of variation in documented preventive care , and the remaining variation was explained by client level characteristics . Conclusions There is substantial room to improve preventive care for well adults in Indigenous primary care setting s. Underst and ing of health centre and client level factors affecting variation in the care should assist clinicians , managers and policy makers to develop strategies to improve quality of preventive care in Indigenous communities CONTEXT Coronary heart disease ( CHD ) mortality has declined substantially in Canada since 1994 . OBJECTIVE To determine what proportion of this decline was associated with temporal trends in CHD risk factors and advancements in medical treatments . DESIGN , SETTING , AND PATIENTS Prospect i ve analytic study of the Ontario , Canada , population aged 25 to 84 years between 1994 and 2005 , using an up date d version of the vali date d IMPACT model , which integrates data on population size , CHD mortality , risk factors , and treatment uptake changes . Relative risks and regression coefficients from the published literature quantified the relationship between CHD mortality and ( 1 ) evidence -based therapies in 8 distinct CHD sub population s ( acute myocardial infa rct ion [ AMI ] , acute coronary syndromes , secondary prevention post-AMI , chronic coronary artery disease , heart failure in the hospital vs in the community , and primary prevention for hyperlipidemia or hypertension ) and ( 2 ) population trends in 6 risk factors ( smoking , diabetes mellitus ,  systolic blood pressure ,  plasma cholesterol level , exercise , and obesity  ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The number of deaths prevented or delayed in 2005 ; secondary outcome measures were improvements in medical treatments and trends in risk factors . RESULTS Between 1994 and 2005 , the  age-adjusted CHD mortality rate  in Ontario decreased by 35 % from 191 to 125 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants , translating to an estimated 7585 fewer CHD deaths in 2005 . Improvements in medical and surgical treatments were associated with 43 % ( range , 11 % to 124 % ) of the total mortality decrease , most notably in AMI ( 8 % ; range , -5 % to 40 % ) , chronic stable coronary artery disease ( 17 % ; range , 7 % to 35 % ) , and heart failure occurring while in the community ( 10 % ; range , 6 % to 31 % ) . Trends in risk factors accounted for 3660 fewer CHD deaths prevented or delayed ( 48 % of total ; range , 28 % to 64 % ) , specifically , reductions in total cholesterol ( 23 % ; range , 10 % to 33 % ) and systolic blood pressure ( 20 % ; range , 13 % to 26 % ) . Increasing diabetes prevalence and body mass index had an inverse relationship associated with higher CHD mortality of 6 % ( range , 4 % to 8 % ) and 2 % ( range , 1 % to 4 % ) , respectively . CONCLUSION Between 1994 and 2005 , there was a decrease in CHD mortality rates in Ontario that was associated primarily with trends in risk factors and improvements in medical treatments , each explaining about half of the decrease Objective To investigate the effect of systematic screening for risk factors for ischaemic heart disease followed by repeated lifestyle counselling on the 10 year development of ischaemic heart disease at a population level . Design R and omised controlled community based trial . Setting Suburbs of Copenhagen , Denmark Participants 59 616 people aged 30 - 60 years r and omised with different age and sex r and omisation ratios to an intervention group ( n=11 629 ) and a control group ( n=47 987 ) . Intervention The intervention group was invited for screening , risk assessment , and lifestyle counselling up to four times over a five year period . All participants with an unhealthy lifestyle had individually tailored lifestyle counselling at all visits ( at baseline and after one and three years ) ; those at high risk of ischaemic heart disease , according to predefined criteria , were furthermore offered six sessions of group based lifestyle counselling on smoking cessation , diet , and physical activity . After five years all were invited for a final counselling session . Participants were referred to their general practitioner for medical treatment , if relevant . The control group was not invited for screening . Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was incidence of ischaemic heart disease in the intervention group compared with the control group .  Secondary outcome measures were stroke , combined events ( ischaemic heart disease , stroke , or both ) , and mortality . Results 6091 ( 52.4 % ) people in the intervention group participated at baseline . Among 5978 people eligible at five year follow-up ( 59 died and 54 emigrated ) , 4028 ( 67.4 % ) attended . A total of 3163 people died in the 10 year follow-up period . Among 58 308 without a history of ischaemic heart disease at baseline , 2782 developed ischaemic heart disease . Among 58 940 without a history of stroke at baseline , 1726 developed stroke . No significant difference was seen between the intervention and control groups in the primary end point ( hazard ratio for ischaemic heart disease 1.03 , 95 % confidence interval 0.94 to 1.13 ) or in the secondary endpoints ( stroke 0.98 , 0.87 to 1.11 ; combined endpoint 1.01 , 0.93 to 1.09 ; total mortality 1.00 , 0.91 to 1.09 ) . Conclusion A community based , individually tailored intervention programme with screening for risk of ischaemic heart disease and repeated lifestyle intervention over five years had no effect on ischaemic heart disease , stroke , or mortality at the population level after 10 years . Trial registration Clinical trials NCT00289237 BACKGROUND Patient non-compliance with prescribed treatment is an important factor in the lack of success in cardiovascular prevention . Another important cause is non-adherence of caregivers to the guidelines . It is not known how doctors and nurses differ in the application of guidelines . Patient compliance to treatment may vary according to the type of caregiver . OBJECTIVE To compare adherence to cardiovascular prevention delivered by practice nurses and by general practitioners . SETTING Six primary health care centres in the Netherl and s ( 25 general practitioners , six practice nurses ) . METHODS 701 high risk patients were included in a r and omised trial . Half of the patients received nurse-delivered care  and half received care by general practitioners . For 91 % of the patients treatment concerned secondary prevention . The Dutch guideline on cardiovascular prevention was used as protocol . A structured self-administered question naire was sent by post to patients . Data were extracted from the practice data base and the question naire . RESULTS Intervention was received by 77 % of respondents who visited the practice nurse compared to 57 % from the general practitioner group ( OR = 2.56 , p < 0.01 ) . More  lifestyle intervention  was given by the practice nurse ; 46 % of patients received at least one lifestyle intervention ( weight , diet , exercise , and smoking ) compared to 13 % in general practitioner group ( OR = 3.24 , p < 0.001 ) . In addition , after one year more patients from the practice nurse group used cardiovascular drugs ( OR = 1.9 , p = 0.03 ) . Nurses inquired more frequently about patient compliance to medical treatment ( OR = 2.1 , p < 0.01 ) . Regarding patient compliance , no statistical difference between study groups in this trial was found . CONCLUSION Practice nurses adhered better to the Dutch guideline on cardiovascular prevention than general practitioners did . Lifestyle intervention advice was more frequently given by practice nurses . Improvement of cardiovascular prevention is still necessary . Both caregivers should inquire about patient adherence on a regular basis Aim : To examine the effect of a r and omized multiple risk factor intervention study for prevention of ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) on the development in physical activity over a 36-month period . Methods : Two r and om sample s ( high intensity intervention , group A , n=11,708 ; low intensity intervention , group B , n=1,308 ) were invited for a health examination , an assessment of absolute risk of developing IHD , and an individualized lifestyle intervention . The participation rate was 52.5 % . High-risk persons in group A were also offered diet/physical activity and /or smoking cessation group counselling . High-risk persons in group B were referred to their GP . High-risk persons were re-counselled after 12 and 36 months . The  control group ( group C , n=5,264 , response rate=61.3 % ) answered a mailed question naire . Data were analysed using longitudinal linear regression models with r and om effects . Main outcome : Change in physical activity from baseline to 12- and 36-month follow-up . Results : In men , the high-intensity ( group A ) intervention had a beneficial effect at 12-month follow-up , whereas after 36 months both the high-intensity and the low-intensity ( group B ) intervention had a beneficial effect on the development in physical activity when compared with group C. This was regardless of baseline physical activity level . At 36-month follow-up there was no significant difference between groups A and B. There was no intervention effect among women . Conclusions : Only men seemed to benefit from the intervention Rationale Recurrent stroke is prevalent in both developed and developing countries , contributing significantly to disability and death . Recurrent stroke rates can be reduced by adequate risk factor management . However , adherence to prescribed medications and lifestyle changes recommended by physicians at discharge after stroke is poor , leading to a large number of preventable recurrent strokes . Using behavior change methods such as Motivational Interviewing early after stroke occurrence has the potential to prevent recurrent stroke . Aims and /or hypothesis The overall aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in improving adherence to medication and lifestyle changes recommended by treating physicians at and after hospital discharge in stroke patients 12 months poststroke to reduce risk factors for recurrent stroke . Design Recruitment of 430 first-ever stroke participants will occur in the Auckl and and Waikato regions . R and omization will be to intervention or usual care groups . Participants r and omized to intervention will receive four motivational interviews and five follow-up assessment s over 12 months . Nonintervention participants will be assessed at the same time points . Study outcomes Primary outcome measures are changes in systolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein levels 12 months poststroke . Secondary outcomes include self-reported adherence and barriers to prescribed medications , new cardiovascular events ( including stroke ) , changes in quality of life , and mood . Discussion The results of the motivational interviewing in stroke trial will add to our underst and ing of whether motivational interviewing may be potentially beneficial in the management of stroke and other diseases where similar lifestyle factors or medication adherence are relevant Background — Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability . Inpatient programs optimize secondary stroke prevention care at the time of hospital discharge , but such care may not be continued after hospital discharge . Methods — To improve the delivery of secondary stroke preventive services after hospital discharge , we have design ed a chronic care model – based program called SUSTAIN ( Systemic Use of STroke Averting INterventions ) . This care intervention includes group clinics , self-management support , report cards , decision support through care guides and protocol s , and coordination of ongoing care . The first specific aim is to test , in a r and omized , controlled trial , whether SUSTAIN improves blood pressure control among an analytic sample of 268 patients with a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack discharged from 4 Los Angeles County public hospitals . Secondary outcomes consist of control of other stroke risk factors , lifestyle habits , medication adherence , patient perceptions of care quality , functional status , and quality of life . A second specific aim is to conduct a cost analysis of SUSTAIN from the perspective of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services by using direct costs of the intervention , cost equivalents of associated utilization of county system re sources , and cost equivalents of the observed and predicted averted vascular events . Conclusions — If SUSTAIN is effective , we will have the expertise and findings to advocate for its continued support at Los Angeles County hospitals and to disseminate the SUSTAIN program to other setting s serving indigent , minority population s. Clinical Trial Registration — URL : http://www . clinical trials.gov . Unique identifier : NCT00861081 Background Coronary heart disease ( CHD ) and depression are leading causes of disease burden globally and the two often co-exist . Depression is common after Myocardial Infa rct ion ( MI ) and it has been estimated that 15 - 35 % of patients experience depressive symptoms . Co-morbid depression can impair health related quality of life ( HRQOL ) , decrease medication adherence and appropriate utilisation of health services , lead to increased morbidity and suicide risk , and is associated with poorer CHD risk factor profiles and reduced survival . We aim to determine the feasibility of conducting a r and omised , multi-centre trial design ed to compare a tele-health program ( MoodCare ) for depression and CHD secondary prevention , with Usual Care ( UC ) . Methods Over 1600 patients admitted after index admission for Acute Coronary Syndrome ( ACS ) are being screened for depression at six metropolitan hospitals in the Australian states of Victoria and Queensl and . Consenting participants are then contacted at two weeks post-discharge for baseline assessment . One hundred eligible participants are to be r and omised to an intervention or a usual medical care control group ( 50 per group ) . The intervention consists of up to 10 × 30 - 40 minute structured telephone sessions , delivered by registered psychologists , commencing within two weeks of baseline screening . The intervention focuses on depression management , lifestyle factors ( physical activity , healthy eating , smoking cessation , alcohol intake ) , medication adherence and managing co-morbidities . Data collection occurs at baseline ( Time 1 ) , 6 months ( post-intervention ) ( Time 2 ) , 12 months ( Time 3 ) and 24 months follow-up for longer term effects ( Time 4 ) . We are comparing depression ( Cardiac Depression Scale [ CDS ] ) and HRQOL ( Short Form-12 [ SF-12 ] ) scores between treatment and UC groups , assessing the feasibility of the program through patient acceptability and exploring long term maintenance effects . A cost-effectiveness analysis of the costs and outcomes for patients in the intervention and control groups is being conducted from the perspective of health care costs to the government . Discussion This manuscript presents the protocol for a r and omised , multi-centre trial to evaluate the feasibility of a tele-based depression management and CHD secondary prevention program for ACS patients . The results of this trial will provide valuable new information about potential psychological and wellbeing benefits , cost-effectiveness and acceptability of an innovative tele-based depression management and secondary prevention program for CHD patients experiencing depression . Trial Registration NumberAustralia and New Zeal and Clinical Trials Register ( ANZCTR ) : Mainstream preventive interventions often fail to reach poor population s with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases ( CVDs ) in Pakistan . A community-based CVD primary prevention project aim ed at developing approaches to reduce risk factors in such population s was established by Heartfile in collaboration with the National Rural Support Program in the district of Lodhran . The project implemented a range of activities integrated with existing social and health service mechanisms during a three year intervention period 2000/01 - 03/04 . These were targeted in 4 key setting s : community health education , mass media interventions , training of health professionals and health education through Lady Health Workers . The project received support from the Department for International Development , UK . At the community level , a pre-test-post-test quasi-experimental design was used for examining project outcomes related to the community component of the intervention . Pre and post-intervention ( training ) evaluations were conducted involving all health care providers in r and omly selected workshops in order to determine baseline levels of knowledge and the impact of training on knowledge level . In order to assess practice s of physician and non-physician health care providers patient interviews , with control comparisons were conducted at each health care facility . Significant positive changes were observed in knowledge levels at a community level in the district of intervention compared with baseline knowledge levels particularly in relation to a heart healthy diet , beneficial level of physical activity , the causes of high blood pressure and heart attack and the effects of high blood pressure and active and passive smoking on health . Significant changes in behaviors at a practice level were not shown in the district of intervention . However the project played a critical role in spurring national action for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and introducing sustainable public health interventions for poor communities in Pakistan BACKGROUND There is a need to evaluate and implement cost-effective strategies to improve adherence to treatments in coronary heart disease . There are no studies from low- to middle income countries ( LMICs ) evaluating trained community health worker (CHW)-based interventions for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease . METHODS We design ed a hospital-based , open r and omized trial of CHW-based interventions versus st and ard care .  Patients after an acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) were r and omized to an intervention group ( a CHW-based intervention package , comprising education tools to enhance self-care and adherence , and regular follow-up by the CHW ) or to st and ard care for 12 months during which study outcomes were recorded . The CHWs were trained over a period of 6 months . The primary outcome measure was medication adherence . The secondary outcomes were differences in adherence to lifestyle modification , physiological parameters ( blood pressure [ BP ] , body weight , body mass index [ BMI ] , heart rate , lipids ) , and major adverse cardiovascular events . RESULTS We recruited 806 patients stabilized after an ACS from 14 hospitals in 13 Indian cities . The mean age was 56.4 ( ± 11.32 ) years , and 17.2 % were females . A high prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension ( 43.4 % ) , diabetes ( 31.9 % ) , tobacco consumption ( 35.4 % ) , and inadequate physical activity ( 70.5 % ) was documented . A little over half had ST-elevation myocardial infa rct ion ( 53.7 % ) , and 46.3 % had non-ST-elevation myocardial infa rct ion or unstable angina . CONCLUSION The CHW interventions and training for SPREAD have been developed and adapted for local use . The results and experience of this study will be important to counter the burden of cardiovascular diseases in low- to middle income countries AIMS To evaluate the incidences of and risk factors predisposing to appropriate and inappropriate shocks and mortality in a ' real-world ' population of patients with ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators ( ICD ) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death ( SCD ) . METHODS AND RESULTS In this nationwide cohort , we prospect ively followed 1609 patients with IHD and left ventricular dysfunction from the Danish ICD Register who received an ICD for primary prevention of SCD ( 1 January 2007 to 30 November 2011 ) . Primary study outcomes were appropriate shocks , inappropriate shocks , and all-cause mortality . Secondary study outcomes included the composite endpoints : appropriate therapy and inappropriate therapy ( defined as shock or anti-tachycardia pacing ) . All-cause mortality was 12.1 % during a mean follow-up time of 1.9 ± 1.3 years . Inappropriate shocks and therapy occurred in 2.6 % and 3.7 % during follow-up , respectively . Appropriate shocks and therapy was identified in 7.8 % and 13.4 % , respectively . Time-dependent multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to identify risk factors of inappropriate/appropriate shock , therapy and mortality . Implantation of a dual-chamber ICD was associated with increased risk of both inappropriate shocks and any inappropriate therapy compared to single-chamber ICD [ hazard ratios ( HR ) = 2.45 ; confidence intervals (CI):1.16 - 5.14 and HR = 2.38 ; CI:1.28 - 4.42 , respectively ] . No excess risk of mortality was associated with any device type . CONCLUSION In this nationwide study of IHD patients with an ICD for primary prevention of SCD , the incidence of appropriate shocks as well as inappropriate shocks were significantly lower than reported in r and omized trials . Implantation of a dual-chamber ICD was associated with more inappropriate shocks compared with single chamber devices OBJECTIVES To measure the extent to which changes in cardiovascular risk factors were correlated among married couples following a 1-year primary care , family-centered , cardiovascular lifestyle intervention program and to identify couples who benefited most from this prevention program . DESIGN Observational study . SETTING Thirteen primary care centers in 13 towns in Britain . PARTICIPANTS A total of 1477 men aged 40 to 59 years and their female partners who attended a family health checkup in 1991 to 1992 from r and omly ordered invitations to registered families . After 1 year , 1204 ( 82 % ) partner pairs were rescreened . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES One-year changes in cigarette smoking , systolic blood pressure , serum cholesterol level , blood glucose level , and a total coronary risk score . RESULTS Comparing men and women partners , baseline values and 1-year changes in overall coronary risk score ( Pearson r = 0.27 and r = 0.20 , respectively ) , cigarette smoking , body mass index , systolic blood pressure , cholesterol levels , and glucose levels were all positively correlated ( all P < .001 except smoking cessation , P = .03 ) . Changes in cholesterol levels and systolic blood pressure were also associated with partner 's baseline measurement ( P < or = .01 in both men and women ) . CONCLUSIONS Men and women who benefit most from risk factor reductions have partners who also tend to benefit most . Conversely , men and women who enjoy little or no benefit have partners who tend to have similarly small benefits . It is likely that lifestyle intervention targeted at men and women as couples rather than as individuals may result in a greater reduction in cardiovascular risk factors , possibly through mutual reinforcement of lifestyle changes Cardiac rehabilitation/ secondary prevention programs are recognized as integral to the comprehensive care of patients with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) , and as such are recommended as useful and effective ( Class I ) by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology in the treatment of patients with CHD . The term cardiac rehabilitation refers to coordinated , multifaceted interventions design ed to optimize a cardiac patient 's physical , psychological , and social functioning , in addition to stabilizing , slowing , or even reversing the progression of the underlying atherosclerotic processes , thereby reducing morbidity and mortality . Cardiac rehabilitation , aims at returning the patient back to normal functioning in a safe and effective manner and to enhance the psychosocial and vocational state of the patient . The program involves education , exercise , risk factor modification and counselling . A meta- analysis based on a review of 48 r and omized trials that compared outcomes of exercise-based rehabilitation with usual medical care , showed a reduction of 20 % in total mortality and 26 % in cardiac mortality rates , with exercise-based rehabilitation compared with usual medical care . Risk stratification helps identify patients who are at increased risk for exercise-related cardiovascular events and who may require more intensive cardiac monitoring in addition to the medical supervision provided for all cardiac rehabilitation program participants . During exercise , the patients ' ECG is continuously monitored through telemetry , which serves to optimize the exercise prescription and enhance safety . The safety of cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs is well established , and the occurrence of major cardiovascular events during supervised exercise is extremely low . As hospital stays decrease , cardiac rehabilitation is assuming an increasingly important role in secondary prevention . In contrast with its growing importance internationally , there are very few cardiac rehabilitation centers in India at the present moment Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease ( ASCVD ) is the leading cause of death , decreased quality of life , and medical costs in the United States . Nearly 1 in 3 Americans die of heart disease and stroke ( 1 ) . Most ASCVD is preventable through a healthy lifestyle and effective treatment of cholesterol and blood pressure . The 2013 Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association ( ACC/AHA ) provides an evidence -based approach to reducing ASCVD risk ( 2 ) . Guideline Development Process In 2008 , the National Heart , Lung , and Blood Institute ( NHLBI ) convened the Adult Treatment Panel ( ATP ) IV to up date the 2001 ATP-III cholesterol guidelines using a rigorous systematic process to identify and review r and omized , controlled trials ( RCTs ) with cardiovascular outcomes and meta-analyses of these RCTs . The panel comprised experts and clinicians from the fields of cardiology , epidemiology , primary care , and endocrinology ( 2 ) and received support from the Lifestyle Management and Risk Assessment Work Groups ( 3 , 4 ) . Systematic evidence review s conducted according to principles recommended by the Institute of Medicine ( 5 ) were performed to answer 3 questions relevant to clinical care . Two questions focused on the evidence supporting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) levels as targets of treatment . One question examined the reduction in ASCVD events and adverse effects for each cholesterol-lowering drug class . The panel synthesized the evidence from these 3 review s as well as from Lifestyle Management and Risk Assessment Work Groups review s ( 3 , 4 ) that addressed 5 additional critical questions . Systematic electronic search es of relevant data bases of the peer- review ed English- language literature published from 1 January 1995 through 1 December 2009 for each critical question were conducted by an NHLBI-selected independent contractor and focused on RCTs and systematic review s and meta-analyses of RCTs assessed as fair to good quality . In addition , RCTs with ASCVD outcomes that included coronary heart disease , stroke , and cardiovascular deaths published after that date were eligible for consideration through July 2013 . Evidence tables were constructed , and the strength of evidence was rated according to the NHLBI ( Table 1 of the Supplement ) . Recommendations were grade d according to criteria from the NHLBI ( Table 2 of the Supplement ) and ACC/AHA ( Table 3 of the Supplement ) . Because of the inherent differences in grading systems and the clinical questions driving the recommendations , alignment between the NHLBI and ACC/AHA formats was imperfect . A complete description of the methods used and results of the evidence review are provided in the guideline ( 2 ) and the NHLBI evidence report ( www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ guidelines /cholesterol/ser/index.htm ) . Supplement . NHLBI and ACC/AHA Criteria for Rating Strength of Evidence To help clinicians estimate ASCVD risk , the risk assessment working group developed the Pooled Cohort Equations using data from 5 NHLBI-sponsored longitudinal , population -based cohorts of African American and non-Hispanic white men and women to estimate risk for a first myocardial infa rct ion , coronary heart disease death , or fatal or nonfatal stroke on the basis of age , sex , race , smoking status , total cholesterol level , HDL-C level , systolic blood pressure , antihypertensive therapy , and diabetes ( 4 , 6 ) . These equations significantly advance ASCVD risk estimation by providing sex- and race-specific estimates and including stroke as an outcome . The earlier Framingham equations calculated only coronary heart disease risk for non-Hispanic whites . The draft recommendations were review ed by 23 experts and representatives of federal agencies identified by the NHLBI . In September 2013 , the recommendations developed by the panel were transitioned to the ACC/AHA and had additional review by 4 experts nominated by the ACC Foundation and the AHA . The governing bodies of the ACC and AHA approved the guideline , which also received endorsement from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation , American Pharmacists Association , American Society for Preventive Cardiology , Association of Black Cardiologists , Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association , and WomenHeart : The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease . Recommendations The guideline focuses on treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce ASCVD risk in adults . Major recommendations are summarized here and in Table 1 . The guideline report provides a complete listing of recommendations and supporting evidence behind each recommendation ( 2 ) . Table 1 . Major Recommendations for the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce ASCVD Risk in Adults * 1 . Encourage Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle A healthy lifestyle is the foundation for cardiovascular health . The panel endorsed the 2013 ACC/AHA Lifestyle Management Guideline ( 3 ) for a diet that is low in saturated fat , trans fat , and sodium ; emphasizes vegetables , fruits , whole grains , low-fat dairy products , poultry , fish , legumes , nontropical vegetable oils , and nuts ; and limits sweets , sugar-sweetened beverages , and red meats and engage in regular aerobic physical activity . Adults also should maintain a healthy body weight , avoid smoking , and control hypertension and diabetes when present . 2 . Statin Therapy Is Recommended for Adults in Groups Demonstrated to Benefit Strong RCT evidence shows that reduction in ASCVD events from statin therapy exceeds adverse events for 4 patient groups : those with clinical ASCVD ( acute coronary syndromes , myocardial infa rct ion , stable angina , coronary or other arterial revascularization , stroke , transient ischemic attack , or peripheral arterial disease of atherosclerotic origin ) when  statins are used for secondary prevention , and those with LDL-C levels 190 mg/dL ; those aged 40 to 75 years with diabetes and LDL-C levels 70 to 189 mg/dL ; and those aged 40 to 75 years without diabetes and with a 10-year ASCVD risk 7.5 % when statins are used for primary prevention . Moderate evidence supports consideration of statin therapy for primary prevention in individuals with a 10-year ASCVD risk of 5 % to < 7.5 % . Routine initiation of statin therapy is not recommended in adults with New York Heart Association heart failure class II to IV or those receiving maintenance hemodialysis . R and omized , controlled trials in these groups showed no reduction in ASCVD . 3 . Statins have an Acceptable Margin of Safety When Used in Properly Selected Individuals and Appropriately Monitored Strong RCT evidence supports safety of statins when they are used as directed in conjunction with regular follow-up assessment s in properly selected patients . Adjustment of statin intensity is recommended in individuals older than 75 years with a history of statin intolerance or other characteristics ( 2 ) or those receiving drug therapy that may increase statin adverse events . Routine monitoring of hepatic aminotransferase level or creatine kinase level is not recommended unless clinical ly indicated by symptoms suggesting hepatotoxicity or myopathy . Given the potential for decreasing ASCVD events and death , the relationship of muscle and other symptoms to statin treatment must be confirmed . Therefore , eliciting a history of muscle symptoms before statin initiation and carefully monitoring symptoms during statin discontinuation and rechallenge is recommended . Severe myopathy , rhabdomyolysis , and possibly hemorrhagic stroke are rare complications of statin therapy . Although statin therapy modestly increases the risk for type 2 diabetes , ASCVD risk reduction outweighs the excess risk for diabetes for high-intensity statins in secondary prevention or for 10-year ASCVD risk 7.5 % . Similarly , ASCVD risk reduction outweighs the excess risk for diabetes for moderate-intensity statin therapy in adults with a 10-year ASCVD risk 5 % . 4 . Engage in a ClinicianPatient Discussion Before Initiating Statin Therapy , Especially for Primary Prevention in Patients With Lower ASCVD Risk Decisions to initiate statin therapy in primary prevention should be based on clinical judgment and preferences of informed patients . In adults without clinical ASCVD or diabetes whose LDL-C level is < 190 mg/dL , calculating the estimated 10-year ASCVD risk should be the start of the clinicianpatient discussion and should not automatically lead to statin initiation . As the absolute risk for ASCVD events decreases , so does the net benefit of the intervention . Therefore , discussion of the potential for ASCVD event reduction , adverse effects , drugdrug interactions , and patient preferences is especially important for lower-risk primary prevention . The discussion provides the opportunity to encourage healthy lifestyle habits and control other risk factors . Additional factors may be considered when a risk-based decision is uncertain , including LDL-C levels 160 mg/dL , family history of premature ASCVD , elevated  lifetime ASCVD risk  , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level 2.0 mg/L ,  coronary artery calcification score  > 300 Agatston units , and anklebrachial index < 0.9 . After age 75 years , comorbid conditions , anticipated longevity , safety considerations , and patient preferences should play a large role in decision making . 5 . Use the Newly Developed Pooled Cohort Equations for Estimating 10-Year ASCVD Risk The Pooled Cohort Equations are currently the best available method for estimating 10-year ASCVD risk to guide statin initiation ( 4 , 6 ) . Application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria from RCTs is cumbersome and results in underidentifying high-risk and overidentifying low-risk individuals for statin treatment . The Pooled Cohort Equations were developed using recent data from 5 NHLBI-sponsored , longitudinal , population -based cohorts of African American and white men and women ( ARIC [ The main goal of the preventive intervention study in one community of the German CINDI ( Countrywide Integrated Non-Communicable Diseases Intervention programme of the WHO ) area was to improve cardiovascular health by reducing the risk factors smoking , hypertension , obesity , hypercholesterolaemia , and by changing sedentary lifestyle . The intervention was performed by using the special " Three-Level- Strategy " , which is characterised by activities of primary care physicians in the usual consulting hour ( 1st level ) , with patient groups in their practice s ( 2nd level ) , and at community level ( 3rd level ) where a special work group and a co-ordinating general practice are co-operating . To evaluate the occurrence of the risk factors in practice and the local population , four cross-sectional r and om sample s ( N(total ) = 4881 ) were carried out in seven practice s from 1992 to 1995 . On the community level , 23 special exercise-based health groups ( N(total ) = 600 ) were established and were investigated by means of a question naire , related to behaviour and health beliefs . A " Local Health Information System " facilitated the evaluation , the management of the data , and the organisation of the health programme . The results of the practice sample s showed a significant reduction of smoking ( -17.8 % ) and hypertension ( -31.5 % ) ( p < 0.01 ) . The exercise-based groups were combined with nutritional counselling or relaxation and were accepted very well by the participants ( 83.8 % ) . The participants considerably improved their health behaviour : 82 % discussed health in their family , 37.3 % stated an increase of healthy nutrition , 52 % of relaxation ; 86.2 % intended to regularly increase physical activity in leisure time and 82 % could not imagine regular health training without exercise meetings . We conclude that the practice -based " Three-Level- Strategy " provides a strong support for successful long-term prevention of cardiovascular risk , particularly , when exercise-based health training sessions are performed in order to change sedentary lifestyle . When organised on community level , they might have a positive impact on the health behaviour of the whole community . Physical activity can be used as a " prodrug " for health promotion in a holistic way Abstract Objectives : To determine whether postal prompts to patients who have survived an acute coronary event and to their general practitioners improve secondary prevention of coronary heart disease . Design : R and omised controlled trial . Setting : 52 general practice s in east London , 44 of which had received facilitation of local guidelines for coronary heart disease . Participants : 328 patients admitted to hospital for myocardial infa rct ion or unstable angina . Interventions : Postal prompts sent 2 weeks and 3 months after discharge from hospital . The prompts contained recommendations for lowering the risk of another coronary event , including changes to lifestyle , drug treatment , and making an appointment to discuss these issues with the general practitioner or practice nurse . Main outcome measures : Proportion of patients in whom serum cholesterol concentrations were measured;proportion of patients prescribed β blockers ( 6 months after discharge ) ; and proportion of patients prescribed cholesterol lowering drugs ( 1 year after discharge ) . Results : Prescribing of β bockers ( odds ratio 1.7,95 % confidence interval 0.8 to 3.0 , P>0.05 ) and cholesterol lowering drugs ( 1.7 , 0.8 to 3.4 , P>0.05 ) did not differ between intervention and control groups . A higher proportion of patients in the intervention group ( 64 % ) than in the control group ( 38 % ) had their serum cholesterol concentrations measured ( 2.9 , 1.5 to 5.5 , P<0.001 ) . Secondary outcomes were significantly improved for consultations for coronary heart disease , the recording of risk factors , and advice given . There were no significant differences in patients ' self reported changes to lifestyle or to the belief that it is possible to modify the risk of another coronary event . Conclusions : Postal prompts to patients who had had acute coronary events and to their general practitioners in a locality where guidelines for coronary heart disease had been disseminated did not improve prescribing of effective drugs for secondary prevention or self reported changes to lifestyle . The prompts did increase consultation rates related to coronary heart disease and the recording of risk factors in the practice s. Effective secondary prevention of coronary heart disease requires more than postal prompts and the dissemination of guidelines Context Risk factors for recurrent events among women with known coronary disease and whether these women commonly receive secondary prevention treatments are mostly unknown . Contribution This large cohort study showed that 11 different factors , including several previous infa rct ions , renal dysfunction , diabetes , angina , heart failure , and uncontrolled hypertension , predicted up to a sixfold increased rate of coronary disease events in postmenopausal women with preexisting coronary disblockers , angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors , or cholesterol-lowering drugs . Implication s Clinicians can identify women who have high risks for recurrent coronary events and should promote greater use of secondary prevention treatments for them . The Editors Coronary heart disease ( CHD ) is the leading cause of death in women . The major independent risk factors that predict CHD onset in healthy women are similar to those identified by epidemiologic studies of healthy men ( 1 - 7 ) . A recent report described six independent risk factorsage , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol levels , high blood pressure , diabetes mellitus , and smokingthat were strongly associated with risk for a first CHD event in both men and women ( 8) . However , the strength of the association of certain risk factors with CHD events may vary by sex ( 9 ) as well as age . Diabetes may be a stronger risk factor in women than in men ( 7 ) ; among older women , HDL cholesterol level may be a relatively strong risk factor and LDL cholesterol level a relatively weak one ( 6 ) . In the period immediately after myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) , studies of mostly male sample s have found that persistent ischemia , impaired left ventricular systolic function , and ventricular arrhythmias are the major determinants of subsequent MI and death ( 10 - 13 ) . In the Coronary Drug Project study of men with a history of heart attack , electrocardiographic abnormalities and heart failure  were stronger predictors than the atherosclerosis risk factors identified in primary prevention setting s ( 14 ) . However , the risk factors for coronary events among women with recognized but stable coronary disease are mostly unknown . Better underst and ing of these factors could improve secondary prevention in this large and high-risk group . The Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study ( HERS ) was a r and omized clinical trial of estrogen plus progestin for prevention of CHD events in women with coronary disease ( 15 ) . Overall , no significant differences were noted between the hormone and placebo groups in CHD events ; trends of more CHD events with therapy in year 1 were offset by fewer such outcomes during years 4 and 5 . The trial collected extensive data on CHD risk factors and medication use and performed exhaustive outcome ascertainment procedures , with complete mortality follow-up . Therefore , HERS offers a unique opportunity to assess the long-term effect of coronary risk factors and use of recommended treatments in women with established coronary disease . Methods Participants Participants in HERS were postmenopausal women who were younger than 80 years of age , had not had a hysterectomy , and had known coronary artery disease ( MI , coronary artery bypass surgery , percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty , or angiographic evidence of 50 % narrowing of one or more major coronary arteries ) . Women were excluded if they had had a coronary event within the 6 months before r and omization , had a serum triglyceride level greater than 3.39 mmol/L ( 300 mg/dL ) , had used hormones within 3 months , or had a history of conditions that would contraindicate estrogen therapy ( 16 ) . Participants in HERS were r and omly assigned within clinical centers to 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen plus 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate in one tablet daily ( n = 1380 ) or a placebo of identical appearance ( n = 1383 ) . The institutional review boards at the coordinating center and each of the 20 HERS clinical centers approved the protocol , and all participants provided written informed consent . Predictors In the baseline interview , information was obtained by self-report on demographic characteristics , behavioral risk factors , and medical history . Among women who reported ever having smoked at least 100 cigarettes , years of smoking , average cigarettes per day , and current smoking were ascertained . Alcohol use in the past 30 days was assessed for frequency and usual numbers of drinks per occasion .  Exercise  was measured as participation in a regular exercise program such as cardiac rehabilitation or aerobics or walking at least occasionally for exercise more than 10 minutes at a time . Use of  aspirin , -blockers , lipid-lowering medications ( statins , niacin , fibrates , bile acidbinding resins , and probucol ) , angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitors , calcium antagonists , and folate or vitamin B was assessed by self-report . In the baseline physical examination , blood pressure , waist-to-hip ratio , and body mass index were measured . A physician assessed history and symptoms of heart failure ( jugular venous distention , third heart sound , significant murmurs , pulmonary rales , and peripheral edema ) . High blood pressure was defined as systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg , according to the Sixth Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention , Detection , Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure ( 17 ) . Angina was defined as self-report of chest discomfort in the previous 4 weeks during exercise , emotion , or sexual activity . Serum specimens were obtained , and a central ized laboratory measured fasting levels of LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , lipoprotein(a ) , triglycerides , glucose , and creatinine ( 15 , 16 ) . Creatinine clearance was estimated by using the CockcroftGault equation ( 18 , 19 ) . Outcomes The primary HERS outcome was CHD events , defined as nonfatal MI or CHD death . Suspected outcome events were reported within 24 hours to the coordinating center and were systematic ally assessed every 4 months at the follow-up contacts . An independent morbidity and mortality subcommittee that was blinded to treatment assignment adjudicated all deaths and suspected outcome events . Nonfatal MI was diagnosed by using an algorithm based on ischemic symptoms , electrocardiographic abnormalities , and elevated cardiac enzyme levels ( 16 ) . Death from CHD included fatal documented MI , sudden death within 1 hour of symptom onset , unobserved death that occurred out of the hospital in the absence of other known causes , or death due to a coronary revascularization procedure or congestive heart failure . The date of each event was determined from the documentation obtained by the clinical centers . The total number of events reported here is slightly larger than that published in the primary HERS results ( 15 ) because of subsequent adjudications ( 20 ) . Statistical Analyses We used multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models to assess the associations between risk factors and CHD events . These models were stratified by clinical center to account for potential clustering . Waist-to-hip ratio and LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were modeled as continuous variables , but lipoprotein(a ) level was dichotomized at the median and creatinine clearance was dichotomized at 0.66 mL/s ( 40 mL/min ) to reflect the nonlinear responses we have reported elsewhere ( 19 , 21 ) . We used an indicator for any alcohol use , since almost all of the 39 % of HERS women who reported alcohol use were light or moderate drinkers . Exercise was modeled by an indicator for participation in an exercise program or walking for exercise for more than 10 minutes . The multivariable model includes previously identified risk factors that were significant ( P 0.20 ) in unadjusted models and were not judged redundant on substantive grounds . Body mass index was excluded because it was clearly nonsignificant after adjustment ( P > 0.2 ) and was also highly correlated with waist-to-hip ratio , which was the stronger predictor in unadjusted analysis . Similarly , triglyceride levels were excluded because of their strong negative correlation with HDL cholesterol levels , which in our judgment were more likely to be causal . We also controlled for use of aspirin , statins , other lipid-lowering medications , diuretics , -blockers , ACE inhibitors , calcium antagonists , and folate or vitamin B. The effect of assignment to hormone therapy was modeled separately for each year of follow-up , as in the post hoc analysis of HERS ( 15 ) . Interactions between risk factors and relevant treatments were also examined . Specifically , we compared hazard rates among patients with diagnosed diabetes who reported use of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents  with rates in the combined group of diabetic persons not using these medications and women with fasting glucose levels greater than 6.94 mmol/L ( > 125 mg/dL ) but no history of diabetes diagnosis . Likewise , we compared estimates for LDL and HDL cholesterol levels stratified by use of any lipid-lowering medication or assignment to hormone therapy ; for lipoprotein(a ) level , stratified by assignment to hormone therapy ; for high blood pressure on examination , stratified by use of at least one antihypertensive medication ; for heart failure and creatinine clearance less than or equal to 0.66 mL/s ( 40 mL/min ) , stratified by use of ACE inhibitors ; and for more than one previous MI and angina , stratified by use of any indicated medications . The final model includes interactions that were significant at a P value less than or equal to 0.2 . We used residuals to assess overall model fit , validity of the proportional hazards assumption , and linearity of associations with continuous predictors . The study lacked power to examine interactions between clinical center and potential risk factors . We tested the assumption of noninformative censoring by considering the two extremes of the possible outcomes Objective To evaluate whether  nurse run clinics in general practice improve secondary prevention in patients with coronary heart disease . Design R and omised controlled trial . Setting A r and om sample of 19 general practice s in northeast Scotl and . Patients 1173 patients ( 685 men and 488 women ) under 80 years with working diagnoses of coronary heart disease , but without terminal illness or dementia and not housebound .  Intervention Nurse run clinics promoted medical and lifestyle aspects of secondary prevention and offered regular follow up . Main outcome measures Components of secondary prevention assessed at baseline and one year were : aspirin use ; blood pressure management ; lipid management ; physical activity ; dietary fat ; and smoking status . A cumulative score was generated by counting the number of appropriate components of secondary prevention for each patient . Results There were significant improvements in aspirin management ( odds ratio 3.22 , 95 % confidence interval 2.15 to 4.80 ) , blood pressure management ( 5.32 , 3.01 to 9.41 ) , lipid management ( 3.19 , 2.39 to 4.26 ) , physical activity ( 1.67 , 1.23 to 2.26 ) and diet ( 1.47 , 1.10 to 1.96 ) . There was no effect on smoking cessation ( 0.78 , 0.47 to 1.28 ) . Of six possible components of secondary prevention , the baseline mean was 3.27 . The adjusted mean improvement attributable to intervention was 0.55 of a component ( 0.44 to 0.67 ) . Improvement was found regardless of practice baseline performance . Conclusions  Nurse run clinics proved practical to implement in general practice and effectively increased secondary prevention in coronary heart disease . Most patients gained at least one effective component of secondary prevention and , for them , future cardiovascular events and mortality could be reduced by up to a third Background Heart failure has become one of the major causes of hospitalization worldwide . Hypertension , diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia are the major causes of heart failure . In order to effectively prevent heart failure , blood pressure , blood glucose and cholesterol levels shall be closely monitored and controlled as well as medication adherence . This study aim ed to investigate the role of pharmacist intervention in prevention of heart failure in high risk elderly patients in the community of Hong Kong . Aim This study aim ed to investigate the role of pharmacist intervention in prevention of heart failure in highrisk elderly patients in the community of Hong Kong . Methods This prospect i ve uncontrolled study was conducted between July 2012 and April 2013 with two revisits every 3 to 4 months to review elderly patients ’ medication profiles as well as assess their blood pressure ( BP ) , r and om capillary blood glucose ( RCBG ) level , cholesterol levels , signs and symptoms of heart failure and the compliance level . The results collected at the baseline data were analyzed and compared with those collected at the last follow-up visit . Result A significant increase in number of subjects free of symptoms of heart failure ( 31.88 % , p < 0.001 ) was found . For chronic disease management , significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol level ( -0.86 ± 0.56mmol/L , p = 0.038 ) and triglyceride level ( -1.15 ± 1.09mmol/L , p < 0.001 ) was observed in overall participants . Yet , no significant reduction in BP level or RCBG level was observed in overall subjects . Significant reduction in mean Morisky Medication Adherence Score ( -0.54 ± 1.50 , p = 0.005 ) indicated improvement in medication compliance in participants . Conclusion The Pharmacy Outreach service has a significant role in prevention of heart failure , by means of minimizing heart failure symptoms , improving medication compliance and enhancing chronic disease management , particularly cholesterol management in community elderly patients . This study provided a reference for further investigation and evaluation of the role of pharmacists in preventing heart failure in the high-risk community elderly patients Rationale PROTECT DC examines whether stroke navigators can improve cardiovascular risk factors in urban underserved individuals newly hospitalized for stroke or ischemic attack . Within one-year of hospital discharge , up to one-third of patients no longer adhere to secondary prevention behaviors . Adherence rates are lower in minority-underserved groups , contributing to health disparities . In-hospital programs increase use of stroke prevention therapies but may not be as successful in underserved individuals . In these groups , low literacy , limited healthcare access , and sparse community re sources may reduce adherence . Lay community health workers ( navigators ) improve adherence in other illnesses through education and assisting in overcoming barriers to achieving desired health behaviors and obtaining needed healthcare services . Aims and design PROTECT DC is a Phase II , single-blind , r and omized , controlled trial comparing in-hospital education plus stroke navigators to usual care .  Atherogenic ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack survivors are recruited from Washington , DC hospitals .  Navigators meet with participants during the index hospitalization , perform home visits , and meet by phone . They focus on stroke education , medication compliance , and overcoming practical barriers to adherence . The interventions are driven by the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior . Study outcomes The primary dependent measure is a summary score of four objective measures of stroke risk factor control : systolic blood pressure , low-density lipoprotein , hemoglobin Hb A1C , and antiplatelet agent pill counts . Secondary outcomes include stroke knowledge , exercise , dietary modification , and smoking cessation . Conclusion PROTECT DC will determine whether a Phase III trial of stroke navigation for urban underserved individuals to improve adherence to secondary stroke prevention behaviors is warranted The Rome Project of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention is a primary preventive trial carried out among 6,027 working men ages 40 - 59 ; 3,131 constituted the treatment group and the remaining 2,896 the control group . The preventive action aim ed at reducing mean levels of serum cholesterol ( generally through dietary prescription and , in a small number of subjects , by drug treatment ) , high blood pressure ( by drugs ) , smoking habits ( by advice to reduce or stop smoking ) , overweight ( by means of diet ) , and sedentary lifestyle by increased physical activity ) . The treatment was carried out during a 6-year period and consisted of individual sessions administered to about one-third of higher-risk subjects , while mass education was administered to all men allocated to treatment . No intervention was offered to the control group . The mean changes in levels of the main coronary risk factors in the treatment vs the control group were computed in different ways . Net changes in the treatment group after 6 years , after adjustment for several confounding variables , were -0.71 % for body weight , + 0.77 % for the cigarette consumption , -3.00 % for systolic blood pressure , -5.39 % for serum cholesterol , and -18 % for the estimated multivariate coronary risk . After 8 years of observation , mortality from all causes was lower by 9.8 % ( one-tailed P = 0.140 ) in the treatment than in the control group , whereas mortality from coronary heart disease was lower by 23.7 % ( one-tailed P = 0.059 ) . The incidence of fatal plus nonfatal coronary heart disease events ( hard criteria ) , which could be measured only for the first 6 years , was reduced by 30.9 % ( one-tailed P = 0.005 ) in the treatment as compared with the control group AIM Previous studies have reported lifestyle and risk factor deterioration following completion of a cardiac rehabilitation program ( CRP ) . We report the results of a one-year Extensive Lifestyle Management Intervention ( ELMI ) aim ed at preventing these adverse changes . METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 302 men and women with ischaemic heart disease were recruited following completion of a CRP and r and omized to either the  ELMI  ( consisting of exercise sessions , telephone follow-ups and risk factor and lifestyle counselling ) or  usual care . The primary outcome was global cardiovascular risk using the Framingham and Procam risk scores . Secondary outcomes included risk factors and lifestyle behaviours . Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups . Adherence to the ELMI was high . There was a non-significant trend in favour of the ELMI between for both the Framingham ( 6.6+/-3.1 to 6.2+/-2.9 vs 6.6+/-3.2 to 6.7+/-3.2 , P=0.138 ) and Procam ( 20.0+/-20.0 to 20.6+/-19.5 vs 19.1+/-18.7 to 21.8+/-19.1 , P=0.089 ) scores . There were no differences in secondary outcomes . CONCLUSIONS A one-year multi-factorial post-CRP intervention results in modest , non-significant benefits to global risk compared to usual care . The absence of deterioration in the usual care group may be due to improved practice s in usual care The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is continuously increasing . This chronic metabolic disorder is difficult to treat and imposes a considerable economic burden on the healthcare system . In view of the fact that type 2 diabetes is primarily caused by behavioral factors , effective preventive strategies are urgently needed . We examined the effects of a holistic lifestyle intervention on clinical and laboratory parameters as well as on the long-term diabetes risk in patients at risk to develop diabetes . We conducted a r and omized controlled trial in a primary care setting in Hannover , Germany , with 83 patients diagnosed as (pre)diabetic or at risk for diabetes . CHIP Germany is a 40-hour coaching lifestyle intervention program for the primary and secondary prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases . The intervention included a comprehensive nutrition and health educational program based on the American CHIP approach . The primary outcome parameter was the body mass index ( BMI ) . Secondary outcome parameters included body weight , blood pressure , fasting glucose , HbA1c , blood lipids , and the FINDRISK score , which assesses long-term diabetes risk . At the final measurement after 12 months , in the intervention group the BMI was reduced by 1.4 versus 0.2 kg/m2 in controls ( p = .119 ) . The mean sustained weight loss after 12 months was −4.1 kg in the intervention group versus −0.8 kg in controls . Furthermore , we found a trend toward a stronger reduction in blood pressure , fasting glucose , and HbA1c as well as an improved FINDRISK score in the intervention group , compared to controls . Although failing to reach statistical significance at the final assessment , this comprehensive lifestyle intervention showed a noticeable reduction in several cardiometabolic risk factors which may facilitate the prevention of diabetes Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women . Both obesity and diabetes mellitus are important independent risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease . Obesity is the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 32 % of white and 53 % of black women are obese . Women with a body mass index ( BMI ) of 30 kg/m2 have a 28 times greater risk of developing diabetes than do women of normal weight . The risk of diabetes is 93 times greater if the BMI is 35 kg/m2.1 The presence of diabetes can increase a woman 's risk of heart disease 2-fold . In addition , the presence of diabetes overshadows the protective effects of the premenopausal state . In 2007 , 11.5 million of all women over the age of 20 ( 10.2 % ) had diabetes , and rates were slightly higher in ethnic minority groups : 10.4 % in Hispanic women and 11.8 % in non-Hispanic black women.2 The national prevalence rates of diabetes have increased in parallel with the rates of obesity ( Fig. 1 ) . Fig. 1 Age-adjusted percentage of U.S. adults who were obese or who had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus . Screening Screening for obesity and diabetes is the 1st step to treatment and often reveals individuals who are at risk for but do not yet have overt disease . The United States Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) recommends that all adults be screened for obesity . Obesity signifies excess adipose tissue . The most widely used method for screening is determination of the BMI . The BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared ( BMI = kg/m2 ) ( Table I ) . Most electronic medical records automatically calculate BMI if height and weight are entered . There are also many smart-phone applications and online calculators that can calculate BMI ( for example , http://www.nhlbisupport.com/ bmi ) . Other screening tools include  waist circumference and the waist-to-hip ratio . In women , a waist circumference > 35 in ( 88 cm ) or a waist-to-hip ratio > 0.7 indicates excess visceral fat and increased risk for disease . TABLE I. Body Mass Index ( BMI ) Classification Recommendations for screening for diabetes vary by guideline author . The USPSTF recommends screening asymptomatic patients who have  blood pressures > 135/80 mmHg  . The American Diabetes Association ( ADA ) recommends that individuals who are ≥18 years of age and have a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and 1 additional risk factor for diabetes should be screened annually ( Table II).3 Individuals over the age of 45 without risk factors should be screened every 3 years . In January 2010 , the ADA released new recommendations for the use of hemoglobin A1C as a screening tool . An A1C greater than 6.5 % indicates diabetes . In addition , the results of screening tests for diabetes can identify individuals with “ prediabetes ” who have a markedly increased risk of developing overt disease.3 TABLE II . American Diabetes Association Recommendations on Screening for Type 2 Diabetes3 Non-Pharmaceutical Treatment Lifestyle-treatment options for diabetes mellitus and excess weight are similar , and 2 recent studies 4,5 have demonstrated the critical components for treating pre-diabetes and diabetes through weight loss , using caloric restriction and physical activity . The 1st study was the Diabetes Prevention Program.4 The purpose of the study was to identify individuals who were at risk for developing diabetes because of elevated fasting plasma glucose or impaired glucose tolerance levels that were not yet in the diagnostic range , in order to determine if metformin or an intensive lifestyle intervention could delay or prevent the onset of diabetes . More than 3,000 individuals with prediabetes were r and omized to receive placebo , metformin , or a 16-session lifestyle-modification program . The intensive lifestyle program set a goal of 7 % weight loss and 150 min/wk of moderate physical activity . Fifty percent of the lifestyle-intervention group lost 7 % of their body weight . The 3-year incidence of diabetes in the metformin group was 31 % lower than that in the placebo group . The incidence was 58 % lower in the lifestyle group than in the placebo group.4 The clinical implication s of this study are that we should 1 ) identify individuals with pre-diabetes and 2 ) recommend lifestyle modifications that result in a 7 % weight loss and include 150 min/wk of moderate physical activity . The 2nd study that examined lifestyle treatment of diabetes and obesity is the Look AHEAD Trial . The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of intentional weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with diabetes . Approximately 5,100 individuals with type 2 diabetes and an elevated BMI were r and omized . Study conditions specified a 36-session intensive lifestyle intervention with the option of using partial meal replacements for caloric restriction or 4 sessions of st and ard diabetes support and education ( DSE ) . At 1 year , 55 % of the intensive-lifestyle-intervention group achieved 7 % weight loss . Hemoglobin A1C , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , and lipids improved significantly more in the intensive-lifestyle group than in the DSE group.5 The clinical implication of this study is that intentional weight loss of at least 7 % can improve the cardiovascular risk profile of patients with type 2 diabetes . Conclusions Excess weight affects two thirds of the U.S. adult population and increases risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes . All patients should be screened for obesity and most should be screened for pre-diabetes and diabetes . The best treatment for diabetes is prevention . Prevention of diabetes can be accomplished through a 7 % weight loss through intensive lifestyle interventions that include caloric reduction and approximately 30 min of daily moderate physical activity . Practitioners will have access to these evidence -based programs soon . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are promoting community-based diabetes prevention programs throughout the country Background Many patients at high risk of cardiovascular diseases are managed and monitored in general practice . Recommendations for cardiovascular risk management , including lifestyle change , are clearly described in the Dutch national guideline . Although lifestyle interventions , such as advice on diet , physical exercise , smoking and alcohol , have moderate , but potentially relevant effects in these patients , adherence to lifestyle advice in general practice is not optimal . The IMPALA study intends to improve adherence to lifestyle advice by involving patients in decision making on cardiovascular prevention by nurse-led clinics . The aim of this paper is to describe the design and methods of a study to evaluate an intervention aim ed at involving patients in cardiovascular risk management . Methods A cluster-r and omised controlled trial in 20 general practice s , 10 practice s in the intervention arm and 10 in the control arm , starting on October 2005 . A total of 720 patients without existing cardiovascular diseases but eligible for cardiovascular risk assessment will be recruited . In both arms , the general practitioners and nurses will be trained to apply the national guideline for cardiovascular risk management . Nurses in the intervention arm will receive an extended training in risk assessment , risk communication , the use of a decision aid and adapted motivational interviewing . This communication technique will be used to support the shared decision-making process about risk reduction . The intervention comprises 2 consultations and 1 follow-up telephone call . The nurses in the control arm will give usual care after the risk estimation , according to the national guideline . Primary outcome measures are self-reported adherence to lifestyle advice and drug treatment . Secondary outcome measures are the patients ' perception of risk and their motivation to change their behaviour . The measurements will take place at baseline and after 12 and 52 weeks . Clinical endpoints will not be measured , but the absolute 10-year risk of cardiovascular events will be estimated for each patient from medical records at baseline and after 1 year . Discussion The combined use of risk communication , a decision aid and motivational interviewing to enhance patient involvement in decision making is an innovative aspect of the intervention . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT D iabetes is one of the most costly and burdensome chronic diseases of our time and is a condition that is increasing in epidemic proportions in the U.S. and throughout the world ( 1 ) . The complications result ing from the disease are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and are associated with the damage or failure of various organs such as the eyes , kidneys , and nerves . Individuals with type 2 diabetes are also at a significantly higher risk for coronary heart disease , peripheral vascular disease , and stroke , and they have a greater likelihood of having hypertension , dyslipidemia , and obesity ( 2–6 ) . There is also growing evidence that at glucose levels above normal but below the diabetes threshold diagnostic now referred to as pre-diabetes , there is a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and death ( 5,7–10 ) . In these individuals , CVD risk factors are also more prevalent ( 5–7,9,11–14 ) , which further increases the risk but is not sufficient to totally explain it . In contrast to the clear benefit of glucose lowering to prevent or retard the progression of microvascular complications associated with diabetes ( 15– 18,21 ) , it is less clear whether the high rate of CVD in people with impaired glucose homeostasis , i.e. , those with impaired fasting glucose ( IFG ) , impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT ) , or diabetes , is caused by elevated blood glucose levels or will respond to treatments that lower blood glucose . Epidemiological studies have shown a clear relationship ( 19,20 ) , whereas intervention trials in people with diabetes suggest , but have not demonstrated , a clear benefit of glycemic control ( 15,16,21,22 ) . Additionally , there are no studies that have investigated a benefit of glucose lowering on macrovascular disease in subjects with only pre-diabetes ( IFG or IGT ) but not diabetes . Although the treatment of diabetes has become increasingly sophisticated , with over a dozen pharmacological agents available to lower blood glucose , a multitude of ancillary supplies and equipment available , and a clear recognition by health care professionals and patients that diabetes is a serious disease , the normalization of blood glucose for any appreciable period of time is seldom achieved ( 23 ) . In addition , in well-controlled socalled “ intensively ” treated patients , serious complications still occur ( 15–18,21 ) , and the economic and personal burden of diabetes remains . Furthermore , microvascular disease is already present in many individuals with undiagnosed or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes ( 11,24– 28 ) . Given these facts , it is not surprising that studies have been initiated in the last decade to determine the feasibility and benefit of various strategies to prevent or delay the onset of  type 2 diabetes .  Two early reports ( 29,30 ) suggested that changes in lifestyle can prevent diabetes , but weaknesses in study design limited their general relevance . Recently , however , four well- design ed r and omized controlled trials have been reported ( 31–35 ) . In the Finnish study ( 31 ) , 522 middleaged ( mean age 55 years ) obese ( mean BMI 31 kg/m ) subjects with IGT were r and omized to receive either brief diet and exercise counseling ( control group ) or intensive individualized instruction on weight reduction , food intake , and guidance on increasing physical activity ( intervention group ) . After an average follow-up of 3.2 years , there was a 58 % relative reduction in the incidence of diabetes in the intervention group compared with the control subjects . A strong correlation was also seen between the ability to stop the progression to diabetes and the degree to which subjects were able to achieve one or more of the following : lose weight ( goal of 5.0 % weight reduction ) , reduce fat intake ( goal of 30 % of calories ) , reduce saturated fat intake ( goal of 10 % of calories ) , increase fiber intake ( goal of 15 g/1,000 kcal ) , and exercise ( goal of 150 min/week ) . No untoward effects of the lifestyle interventions were observed . In the Diabetes Prevention Program ( DPP ) ( 32–34 ) , the 3,234 enrolled subjects were slightly younger ( mean age 51 years ) and more obese ( mean BMI 34 kg/m ) but had nearly identical glucose intolerance compared with subjects in the Finnish study . About 45 % of the participants were from minority groups ( e.g , AfricanAmerican , Hispanic ) , and 20 % were 60 years of age . Subjects were r and omized to one of three intervention groups , which included the intensive nutrition and exercise counseling ( “ lifestyle ” ) group or either of two masked medication treatment groups : the biguanide metformin group or the placebo group . The latter interventions were combined with st and ard diet and exercise recommendations . After an average follow-up of 2.8 years ( range 1.8–4.6 years ) , a 58 % relative reduction in the progression to diabetes was observed in the lifestyle group ( absolute incidence 4.8 % ) , and a 31 % relative reduction in the progression of diabetes was observed in the metformin group ( absolute incidence 7.8 % ) compared with control subjects ( absolute incidence 11.0 % ) . ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Purpose With growing numbers of people at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease , diabetes educators report increasing referrals for intervention in prevention of these conditions . Diabetes educators have expertise in diabetes self-management education ; however , they are generally not prepared for delivery of chronic disease primary prevention . The purpose of this project was to determine if individuals at risk for diabetes who participate in an intervention delivered by trained diabetes educators in existing diabetes self-management education community-based programs can reduce risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease . Methods Diabetes educators in 3 outpatient-hospital programs ( urban , suburban , and rural ) received training and support for implementation of the Group Lifestyle Balance program , an adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention , from the Diabetes Prevention Support Center of the University of Pittsburgh . Adults with prediabetes and /or the metabolic syndrome were eligible to enroll in the program with physician referral . With use of existing diabetes educator networks , recruitment was completed via on-site physician in-services , informative letters , and e-mail contact as well as participant-directed newspaper advertisement . Results Eighty-one participants enrolled in the study ( 71 women , 10 men ) .  Mean overall weight loss was 11.3 lb ( 5.1 % , P < .001 ) ; in addition , significant decreases were noted in fasting plasma glucose , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , triglycerides , and blood pressure . Conclusions These results suggest that the Group Lifestyle Balance program delivered by diabetes educators was successful in reducing risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in high-risk individuals . Furthermore , diabetes educators , already integrated within the existing health care system , provide yet another re source for delivery of primary prevention programs in the community
There were no significant effects of interventions on mean blood pressure or cholesterol levels , prescribing , smoking status or body mass index .
There was some suggestion of a " ceiling effect " whereby interventions have a diminishing beneficial effect once certain levels of risk factor management are reached .
There is weak evidence that regular planned recall of patients for appointments , structured monitoring of risk factors and prescribing , and education for patients can be effective in increasing the proportions of patients within target levels for cholesterol control and blood pressure .
BACKGROUND Ischaemic heart disease ( IHD ) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity and its prevalence is set to increase .
Secondary prevention aims to prevent subsequent acute events in people with established IHD .
While the benefits of individual medical and lifestyle interventions is established , the effectiveness of interventions which seek to improve the way secondary preventive care is delivered in primary care or community setting s is less so .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of service organisation interventions , identifying which types and elements of service change are associated with most improvement in clinician and patient adherence to secondary prevention recommendations relating to risk factor levels and monitoring ( blood pressure , cholesterol and lifestyle factors such as diet , exercise , smoking and obesity ) and appropriate prophylactic medication .