Psychological interventions for coronary heart disease

Source: Cochrane Library

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Date of publication: April 2017

Publication type: Review

In a nutshell: This updated Cochrane Review found that for people with CHD, there was no evidence that psychological treatments had an effect on total mortality, the risk of revascularisation procedures, or on the rate of non-fatal MI, although the rate of cardiac mortality was reduced and psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, or stress) were alleviated; however, the GRADE assessments suggest considerable uncertainty surrounding these effects. Considerable uncertainty also remains regarding the people who would benefit most from treatment (i.e. people with or without psychological disorders at baseline) and the specific components of successful interventions. Future large-scale trials testing the effectiveness of psychological therapies are required due to the uncertainty within the evidence. Future trials would benefit from testing the impact of specific (rather than multifactorial) psychological interventions for participants with CHD, and testing the targeting of interventions on different populations (i.e. people with CHD, with or without psychopathologies).

Length of publication: 177 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                

New recommendations for overweight people with heart risks

Source: Reuters

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Date of publication: August 2014

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The United States Preventive Services Task Force has issued new recommendations for overweight patients who have risk factors for heart disease. These patients should receive intensive behaviour counselling for diet and exercise. Previous studies showed that by attending this form of counselling for up to one year, many health markers were improved and the risk of diabetes was reduced.

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: Annals of Internal Medicine, 26th August 2014

Lifestyle intervention reduces body weight and improves cardiometabolic risk factors in worksites

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2013, 97 (4) p. 667-676

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Date of publication: April 2013

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: Overweight employees from four worksites were enrolled on this randomised controlled trial. The intervention group received nutritional recommendations combined with behavioral change education. 89% of participants completed the weight-loss phase. They could also enrol on a weight-maintenance programme and no significant weight gain was observed. There were also improvements in the cardiometabolic risk factors of the intervention group, regarding cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure.

Length of publication: 10 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.

Recent advances in preventive cardiology and lifestyle medicine

Source: Circulation, 2011, 123 (20) p. 2274-2283

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Date of publication: May 2011

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A review of the advances in preventive cardiology and lifestyle medicine over the last decade, including some emerging interventions such as the polypill, and the use of behavioural and complementary interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease.

Length of publication: 10 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.