A cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programme for all patients at first presentation with coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and test a cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programme for achieving sustained lifestyle, risk factor, and therapeutic targets in patients presenting for the first time with exertional angina, acute coronary syndromes, or coronary revascularisation.


METHODS
A descriptive study.


METHODS
A hospital based 12 week outpatient programme.


METHODS
A multiprofessional family based programme of lifestyle and risk factor modification.


METHODS
Non-smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, plasma cholesterol, use of prophylactic drugs.


RESULTS
158 patients (82% of 194 possible cases) were recruited over 15 months, with 72% completing the programme. Targets for achieving non-smoking status, blood pressure < 140/90 mm Hg, and total cholesterol < 4.8 mmol/l were achieved in 92%, 73%, and 62%, respectively, and the proportion on aspirin, beta blockers, and lipid lowering treatment was 95%, 58%, and 64% on referral back to general practice for continuing care.


CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive cardiac prevention and rehabilitation programme can be offered to all patients presenting for the first time with coronary heart disease, including those with exertional angina who are normally managed in primary care. Lifestyle, risk factor, and therapeutic targets can be successfully achieved in most patients with such a hospital based programme.
Fox
K F
KF
Cardiovascular Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Charing Cross Campus, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK.
Nuttall
M
M
Wood
D A
DA
Wright
M
M
Arora
B
B
Dawson
E
E
Devane
P
P
Stock
K
K
Sutcliffe
S J
SJ
Brown
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D016896:Treatment Outcome