title: Primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: is there a place for Internet-based interventions?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Internet-based interventions to manage and prevent chronic diseases are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those with limited access to health services. This article reviews Internet-based interventions for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched using terms for telemedicine and CVD (heart disease* OR myocardial infarction OR cardiac event* OR heart attack* OR cardiovascular disease* OR cardiovascular risk factor* OR blood pressure OR hypertension OR cholesterol OR LDL-C OR HDL-C OR cardiac rehabilitation) AND (telemonitor* OR tele-monitor* OR teleconsult* OR tele-consult* OR telemanagement OR tele-management OR telerehab* OR tele-rehab* OR Internet-based intervention OR internet based intervention OR Internet intervention* OR web based or web-based). Studies that investigated Internet-based interventions delivered directly to patients and resulted in improvement of cardiovascular-related health outcomes were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies were identified (N = 23) investigating the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors. Five studies investigated patients diagnosed with CVD, 6 targeted participants with diabetes, 6 targeted participants with increased cardiovascular risk, and 6 investigated the general population. The majority of studies reported improvement in blood pressure and HbA1c levels in participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Other outcomes included a decreased number of cardiovascular events, improved lipid profile and eating habits, decreased weight, and increased physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is emerging evidence that Internet-based interventions may reduce cardiovascular risk in cardiac patients and in populations with a heightened risk of CVD. Such interventions may also represent an alternative method of providing CVD prevention strategies.
authors: Centre for Military and Veterans' Health, The University of Queensland, Mayne Medical School, Herston, QLD, Australia.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Pietrzak
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Cotea
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Pullman
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*