CARDIOVASCULAR HORIZON SCANNING Volume 6 Issue 6

Effect of screening and lifestyle counselling on incidence of ischaemic heart disease

Source: BMJ, 2014, 348 (7963)

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Date of publication: June 2014

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This community-based randomised controlled trial gave screening, risk assessment and lifestyle counselling over a five-year period. The incidence of ischaemic heart disease in the intervention group was compared to that of the control group, who did not receive screening. Secondary outcome measures were stroke, combined events (ischaemic heart disease, stroke, or both), and mortality.

Length of publication: 11 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.

The cost effectiveness of ivabradine in the treatment of chronic heart failure

Source: Heart, 2014, 100 (13) p. 1031-6

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Date of publication: July 2014

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This economic evaluation assessed the cost-effectiveness of ivabradine from the perspective of the UK National Health Service, based on the results of the SHIfT trial. Ivabradine is expected to have a 95% chance of being cost-effective in the EU-licensed population using the current NICE cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per QALY.

Length of publication: 6 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.

Yoga for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014, Issue 5

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Date of publication: May 2014

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: This review assessed the effectiveness of any type of yoga in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in healthy adults and also in those at high risk of CVD. Eleven randomised controlled trials and two studies in progress were identified. Most of the trials had small numbers of participants and were short-term. The authors found some evidence that yoga has favourable effects on diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. However, due to the size and duration of the studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Length of publication: 51 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.

Greater risk of heart disease in women with diabetes than men

Source: The Telegraph

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Date of publication: May 2014

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell:  Researchers from Cambridge University have found that women with type 2 diabetes are 44 percent more likely to develop heart disease than men who have diabetes. They believe that this is largely down to the speed at which diabetes is diagnosed. Women’s health is thought to be worse when they are diagnosed with diabetes as they are usually found to be more overweight, putting a greater strain on their hearts.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

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: UK Health Forum

Risk of cardiovascular disease from sugar is independent of weight gain

Source: Medical News Today

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Date of publication: May 2014

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Researchers in New Zealand have found evidence that sugar can impact a persons risk of heart disease independent of weight gain. With governments looking at possible changes to recommended safe dietary sugar intake, this study shows how sugar alone could cause issues regardless of weight.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

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: UK Health Forum

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