CARDIOVASCULAR HORIZON SCANNING VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6

One million more men: The Men’s Health Forum physical activity and sport challenge

Source: Men’s Health Forum

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Date of publication: June 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This policy statement was published for National Men’s Health Week by the Men’s Health Forum. It challenges government, the NHS, sport organisations and charities to work together to help one million more middle-aged men in England achieve the Chief Medical Officer’s minimum recommended levels of physical activity by 2012. It gives recommendations to tackle the problem of physical inactivity in men, which is directly linked to cardiovascular disease and other major health problems.

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.

Prevention of cardiovascular disease at population level

Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

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Date of publication: June 2010

Publication type: Practice guidelines

In a nutshell: This guidance comprises two sets of recommendations, aimed at national policy makers and local practitioners. Recommendations for policy makers outline a national framework of action, including food labelling, marketing, and consumption of salt and transfats. Recommendations for practice focus on how to develop effective regional cardiovascular disease prevention programmes. Tools such as a costing report, a costing template and slide set are available from NICE to support the implementation of their guidance.

Length of publication: 124 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.

A low intensity, community based lifestyle programme to prevent weight gain in women with young children

Source: BMJ, 2010, 341 (c3215)

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study evaluated a community behavioural intervention in Australia. 250 mothers attended four interactive group sessions involving health messages, behaviour change strategies and group discussion. They also received monthly support via mobile phone text messages. After 12 months, the intervention group showed differences in weight loss and total cholesterol concentration compared to the control group.

Length of publication: 12 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.

Telemonitoring and self-management in the control of hypertension

Source: Lancet, 2010, 376 (9736) p. 163-172

Follow this link for the abstract

Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to assess whether self-management by patients with poorly-controlled hypertension resulted in better control of their blood pressure. 24 general practices took part. Participants were responsible for self-monitoring of blood pressure and self-titration of anti-hypertensive drugs, in addition to telemonitoring of home blood pressure measurements. The results showed that self-management of hypertension, combined with telemonitoring of blood pressure measurements, forms an important new addition to control of hypertension in primary care.

Length of publication: 10 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.

iPlato supports Birmingham health checks

Source: E-Health Insider Primary Care

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Date of publication: 18th June 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: 24 GP practices in Birmingham have been using text messaging to invite patients to attend for their NHS Health Check. A 44% success rate has been achieved so far from 1850 referrals.

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.

BACR Exercise Professionals Group Position Statement 2010

Source: British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation

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Date of publication: 2nd July 2010

Publication type: Standards

In a nutshell: Defines the specialised knowledge, skills and competencies required by exercise professionals who are involved in delivering exercise programmes to cardiac rehabilitation patients, in order to minimise risk.

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.

Acknowledgement: British Cardiovascular Society

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