Effect of tailored practice and patient care plans on secondary prevention of heart disease in general practice: cluster randomized controlled trial

Source: BMJ, 29 October 2009, 339, b4220

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Date of publication: 29 October 2009

Publication type: Journal article, research

In a nutshell: Research carried out over 18 months in 48 general practices across Northern Ireland and Ireland, with 903 patients already known to have coronary heart disease.   The use of tailored care plans with general practice-led 4-monthly reviews, resulted in significantly reduced admissions to hospital.

Length of publication: 1 page

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.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum e-News Briefing 2.12.2009

Homocysteine lowering interventions for preventing cardiovascular events

Source: The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

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Date of publication: October, 2009

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: Elevated circulating total homocysteine (tHcy) levels are thought to be a risk factor in cardiovascular disease. These levels are influenced by blood levels of vitamins B12, B9 and B6. This review examined the clinical effectiveness of homocysteine – lowering interventions, and concluded that there was no evidence to support their use for the prevention of cardiovascular events.

Length of publication: 66 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: Cochrane Library

Use of blood pressure lowering drugs in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Source: British Medical Journal, 2009, 338 (7705) p.1245-1253

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Date of publication: May, 2009

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: A meta-analysis of 147 randomised controlled trials of blood pressure lowering drugs, to determine their efficacy in preventing coronary heart disease and stroke, and deciding which patients should be prescribed these drugs. A total of 464,000 participants were involved in these trials.

Length of publication: 19 pages

Routine aspirin benefits queried

Source: BBC News

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Date of publication: May, 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Reports on a meta-analysis of over 100,000 clinical trial participants, which showed that, in healthy people, the risk of bleeding is not outweighed by the benefits of taking aspirin for preventing heart attacks and stroke. The study was partly funded by the British Heart Foundation, and has been published in the Lancet.

Length of publication: 1 page

Acknowledgement: The Lancet, British Heart Foundation

Choice of secondary prevention improves risk factors after acute coronary syndrome: 1-year follow-up of the CHOICE (Choice of Health Options In prevention of Cardiovascular Events) randomised controlled trial

Source: Heart 2009, 95, 468-475

For a link to the abstract, click here

Year of Publication: 2009

Publication Type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a new CHOICE (Choice of Health Options in prevention of Cardiovascular Events) programme on cardiovascular risk factors. A group of acute coronary syndrome survivors participated in a patient-centred modular programme comprised of a clinic visit and telephone support. Results showed that CHOICE was an effective alternative for dealing with the underuse of existing secondary prevention programmes.

Length of Publication: 8 pages

Some important notes:You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. If you cannot access the full text, please contact your local NHS library.

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Acknowledgements: Heart Online and Education in Heart