Abstract
We assessed the effectiveness of secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) in primary care, in a cross-sectional study of 1015 patients aged < 75 years with documented CHD. Patients records were examined for documentation of CHD risk factors; 722 patients then attended education sessions where blood pressure and cholesterol were measured, a supervised questionnaire detailing modifiable risk factors was completed, and advice on lifestyle modification was given. Management of risk factors was generally poor, and was worse in women. Approximately 20% of subjects remained hypertensive, with half of these receiving anti-hypertensive medication. Examining the primary care records, serum cholesterol was documented in 17.5% of men and 26.5% of women. Of the 722 subjects who had cholesterol measured, 30% of men and 25% of women had cholesterol < 5.2 mmol/l. Mean cholesterol was significantly higher in the women (6.1 mmol/l vs. 5.6 mmol/l, p = 0.001). Lifestyle risk management was also poor, with significant numbers smoking and drinking more than recommended. Women were more overweight than men (mean BMI 27.9 kg/m2 vs. 26.9 kg/m2, p = 0.006). Aspirin was being taken by 56% of patients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.