Experts call for new focus on physical activity

Source: BBC News Health

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Date of publication: October 2014

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The effects of inactivity are linked to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Many people are failing to meet the recommended level of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week. This report focuses on a community-based competition called ‘Beat the Street’ to challenge inactivity. It is based mainly in primary schools but also encourages participation from GP surgeries, local clubs and businesses. The GP who devised this scheme says that 10% more people meet the recommended level of activity after Beat the Street, and 22% of people who were physically inactive before the scheme have become more active.

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.

Activate Your Heart: Leicester activates heart care

Source: Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

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Date of publication: 12November 2012

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A new cardiac rehabilitation programme has been started by staff and patients of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: Activate Your Heart  an online self management programme which can also be accessed via smartphone or tablet device.

Length of publication:  1 web page plus link to website

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.

NHS Health Checks: presentations and feedback from NHS Health Check National Learning Network event, London, March 2012

Source: NHS Health Check 

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Presentations and associated resources

In a nutshell: A number of useful presentations including: ‘Management of people at high-risk of CVD’ and ‘Embedding the NHS Health Check programme within public health’.

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

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.

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)

Improving cardiovascular health at population level

Source: BMJ 2011; 342:d442 (Online First)

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: The Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP) was implemented as an intervention to reduce morbidity from cardiovascular disease among older adults in 39 communities in Canada. This collaborative, community-based health promotion and prevention programme was found to reduce cardiovascular morbidity at a population level.

Length of publication: 8 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.

Physical activity on referral in Blackpool

Source: NHS Blackpool

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Date of publication: September 2010

Publication type: Press release 

In a nutshell: The ‘Y Active’ physical activity on referral scheme has been launched in Blackpool, funded by NHS Blackpool and run by the YMCA. The scheme intends to offer a wide range of activities and locations, to engage people, especially inactive patients with existing healthcare conditions. The press release includes a link to a specimen referral form.

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.

NHS Health Check workshop, London – July 2010

Source: NHS Improvement – Heart

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Best Practice

In a nutshell: Presentations from this National Learning Network event include social marketing, and examples of good practice from NHS Islington and NHS Lambeth.

Length of publication: 1 web page plus

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.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Masterclass, Leeds, July 2010

Source: NHS Improvement – Heart

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Date of publication: July 2010

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This webpage links to a summary report and all the presentations from the Masterclass, which focussed on showing commissioners and providers a systematic approach to delivering comprehensive and effective cardiac rehabilitation.

Length of publication: 1 web page plus

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.

 

Evaluation of a community pharmacy-based intervention for improving patient adherence to antihypertensives

Source: BMC Health Services Research, 2010, 10 (34)

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Date of publication: February, 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This study protocol aims to test a package of interventions by community pharmacists to improve patients’ daily adherence to their antihypertensive medications. Fifty-six pharmacies in Australia will take part in the six month trial, after which time changes in patient adherence and persistance will be measured.

Length of publication: 7 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: BioMed Central

Effect of school based physical activity programme (KISS)

Source: BMJ, 23 February 2010

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Date of publication: 23rd February, 2010

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: A randomised controlled trial took place in 15 elementary schools in Switzerland over one year. A physical activity programme was introduced with the aim of improving physical and psychological health. Body fat, aerobic fitness, physical activity and quality of life were primary outcomes. Body mass index and cardiovascular risk score were secondary outcome measures.

Length of publication: 8 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.

Continuous exercise in the community

Source: Cardiac Rehab UK  issue 16, January 2010, p 2

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Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Led by a CR nurse and a specialist physiotherapist, delivered in a community hall in a rural village in Carmarthenshire, this is an example of local sustainable cardiac rehabilitation support for patients out in a rural community.  Transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4 is higher than the national average, as is the level of retention at Phase 4.

Length of publication: 1 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: British Heart Foundation