Heartwatch: a secondary prevention programme in primary  care in Ireland.
BACKGROUND
Heartwatch, a secondary prevention programme in primary care was initiated in 2003, based on the second European Joint Task Force recommendations for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). The aim was to examine the effect of the first 2 years of the Heartwatch programme on cardiovascular risk factors and treatments.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study of patients with established CHD enrolled into the Heartwatch programme.


METHODS
Four hundred and seventy (20%) general practitioners nationwide participated in the programme, recruiting 11,542 patients with established CHD (earlier myocardial infarction, coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery). Clinical data were electronically transferred by each general practitioner to a central database. Comparison of changes in risk factors and treatments at 1-year and 2-year follow-up from baseline were made using paired t-test for continuous and McNemar's test for categorical data.


RESULTS
Statistically significant changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotien cholesterol and smoking status at 1 and 2 years (P <0.0001) were observed. Little or no improvements were shown for exercise, BMI or waist circumference. Increases in the prescribing of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers over the course of the study were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The Heartwatch programme has demonstrated significant improvements in the main risk factors and treatments for CHD. More effective interventions are required to reduce BMI, waist circumference and physical inactivity in this population. The increases in treatment uptake are approaching the optimal levels in this population.
Bennett
Kathleen
K
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. bennettk@tcd.ie
Jennings
Siobhan
S
Collins
Claire
C
Boland
Michael
M
Leahy
John
J
Bedford
Declan
D
Shelley
Emer
E
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents