Signs to encourage stair use

Source: National Heart Forum

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Date of publication: February 2012

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A recent American report tells how signs in three different public buildings, one a health clinic, encouraging people to use the stairs rather than the lift, led to much increased stair-climbing even after a 9 month period. A simple idea to promote more physical activity, integrated into daily life.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Diet, physical activity and cardiovascular disease prevention in Europe

Source: european heart network

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Date of publication: 23 November 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: Reviews the progress made over the last 10 years, the scientific evidence on diet, physical activity and cardiovascular health, and proposes policy changes across Europe.

Length of publication: Full report 196 pages, summary 64 pages, briefing 4 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum Briefing of the Year 2011

Healthy Places

Source: National Heart Forum (NHF)

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Date of publication: 21 October 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The NHF announced the launch of Healthy Places, a new interactive online resource developed with the backing of the Department of Health.  It covers legal issues, planning law and regulations to show local councils, planning groups and health practitioners how they can use existing legislation to improve public health. Features a wide range of highly practical case studies from throughout the UK, showing how the legal regulatory environment is used in areas such as travel, food, physical activity, to proactively support healthy communities.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement:

The “Million Hearts” Initiative – preventing heart attacks and strokes

Source: New England Journal of Medicine, 2011, 365 (13) p. e27

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Date of publication: September 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The Million Hearts Initiative has been launched by US government agencies working with a broad range of private sector partners. Their aim is to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. They plan to do this by implementing effective and inexpensive clinical and community innovations and initiatives. Interventions will involve areas such as aspirin use, cholesterol management, improving nutrition and reducing smoking.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Prescribing exercise in primary care: ten practical steps

Source: BMJ

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Date of publication: July 2011

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: Pratical advice for exercise prescription to encourage patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle and help them maintain it. One tip recommends the use of e-mail and text reminders, website support and smartphone apps.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

UK physical activity guidelines

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: July 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: These physical activity guidelines from the CMO are scientifically informed, and cover early years, children and young people, adults and older adults across the four countries of the UK.

Length of publication: 1 webpage plus linked factsheets

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library. 

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease

Source: The Cochrane Library

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Date of publication: July 2011

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: A systematic review of 47 randomised controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exercise training alone or in combination with psychosocial or educational interventions). It was found to be effective in reducing total and cardiovascular mortality and hospital admissions but not total myocardial infarction or revascularisation. The content of this review has been updated with a new search for studies, and some conclusions have changed.

Length of publication: 93 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Assessing the options to use the regulatory environment to promote local physical activity and healthy eating

Source: National Heart Forum and the British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group, University of Oxford

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Date of publication: 11 April 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This reports on a project carried out by the BHF Health Promotion Research Group in the Department of Public Health at Oxford University. It describes the roles and responsibilities of local authorities, assesses the evidence and identifies legal options for implementation by local government, in the battle to prevent obesity, and promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

Length of publication: 148 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

 

Link between children’s ‘screen time’ and early markers for cardiovascular disease

Source: Medical News Today

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Date of publication:April 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: An Australian study has found a connection between sedentary behaviour in young children and a narrowing of the vessels in the retina. Retinal microvascular caliber is presently used as a marker for cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure in adults, but it could be used as a subclinical marker for cardiovascular disease in the future.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association

Physical activity patterns – children in England

Source: British Heart Foundation National Centre (BHFNC) – Physical activity and health

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Date of publication: 21 March 2011

Publication type: Report; Statistics

In a nutshell: This publication pulls together the latest facts and statistics from sources such as the Health Survey for England and the National Travel Survey. Covers physical activity levels generally and during the school day, travel to school, PE and sport, as well as sedentary behaviour.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Nations Heart Forum eNews Briefing 23.3.2011

Investments that work for physical activity

Source: British Heart Foundation National Centre physical activity and health

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Seven evidence-based ‘best investments’ to increase population-wide participation in physical activity; the aim being to significantly reduce the risk from inactivity of various non-communicable diseases, including heart disease.

Length of publication: 1 web page plus associated document

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Global Advocacy for Physical Activity (GAPA)

Sharing practice: raising the profile of physical activity within primary care

Source: British Heart Foundation National Centre physical activity and health

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Case studies

In a nutshell: This booklet emerged from the BHFNC’s 10th Annual Conference: ‘The cure for all ills is not to sit still’. Includes a selection of physical activity projects and case studies. Engagement with GP commissioning consortia will be important in order to keep physical activity firmly part of the primary care prevention and treatment agenda.

Length of publication: 1 web page plus associated document

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.