Tag Archives: coronary heart disease

Introduction Claire Jones Research suggests that globally, attainment of lipid targets is poor, with significant scope for improved optimisation of lipid lowering therapy (LLT) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factor management. Evidence suggests that the key initiating event in atherogenesis is retention of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). To align with this, the European Society of Cardiology and European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) proposed new LDL-C goals in 2019,1 and revised CV risk stratification guidance (particularly relevant to high-risk and very high-risk patients). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (N

Justin Mifsud Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of mortality worldwide, with 3.9 million deaths per year in Europe attributed to this disease.1 Optimal behavioural modifications of lifestyle risk factors in patients with established coronary heart disease (CHD) have been significantly associated with prevention of recurrent coronary atherosclerotic events.2 For this reason the joint task force of the European Society of Cardiology and other societies (JES5)3 have put emphasis on preventive cardiology lifestyle interventions, which are smoking cessation, making healthy food choices and contribution to moderate int

HEAT-PPCI: heparin outperforms bivalirudin in primary PCI The major talking point of this year’s American College of Cardiology meeting was without doubt the aptly named HEAT-PPCI trial which generated more heat than has been seen at such conferences for quite some time. The trial acronym stands for How Effective Are Antithrombotic Therapies in Primary PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention), and the study – conducted in the UK under the leadership of Dr Rod Stables (Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital) – compared unfractionated heparin with bivalirudin (Angiomax®, the Medicines Company) in patients with ST-elevation myoca

Encouraging young researchers Death rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) are falling across the UK, but the rates remain high in Scotland with a slower rate of decline than the rest of the devolved nations.1 A recent Audit Scotland report has highlighted that although death rates of all types of heart disease have reduced by around 40% in the past 10 years, they remain the second highest cause of death after cancer.1 Between 1991 and 1996 the SHARP mobile screening unit successfully screened 19,400 Scots between the ages of 18 and 70 years, mainly at their place of work. Currently 14,694 people remain alive on this database, all of whom ar

Introduction Over 90 people die from myocardial infarction (MI) every day in the UK.1 Cardiac rehabilitation, which incorporates cardioprotective drug therapies as one of its core components,2 has been shown to be associated with a reduction in recurrent MI.3 The National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) set out a strategy in 2000 to change CHD services over the next 10 years.4 Improvements have been delivered in most standards of cardiac services but uptake and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programmes following MI, coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery are still below the 85% target set f

Introduction Stable angina is the most common manifestation of coronary heart disease. While considered relatively benign in terms of prognosis, the condition confers a higher risk of cardiovascular events than in the general population, with average annual mortality rates of 1–2%. Guidelines for the management of stable angina are relatively conservative in their approach, given their process of development. Moreover, stable angina management has not been as rigorously evaluated in large randomised trials as other coronary conditions. The role of newer treatment options in management algorithms also merits wider consideration. This expert

“It’s no coincidence that we’re publishing the series at a time when the country and much of the world is gripped with Olympic fever,” stated Dr Pamela Das, executive editor of the Lancet, at a press conference. One paper reported that 9.4% of deaths from any cause are attributable to physical inactivity. Although the host nation of the Olympics, the UK came out particularly badly in the research. In terms of coronary heart disease, lack of exercise was said to account for 5.8% of cases worldwide, but this rises to 10.5% in the UK. If everyone were to engage in just a modest level of physical activity, this would translate into a gain

Coffee consumption shows CHD benefits in women A meta-analysis of a number of cohorts studies published in the International Journal of Cardiology (2009;137:216-25) demonstrates that habitual coffee consumption may be associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women. Analysis of data from 21 cohort studies showed that moderate coffee consumption (of up to four cups of coffee per day) were associated with a 18% reduction in risk of CHD in women.  The investigators note that such an effect was unlikely to be caused by chance. Further benefits have been shown from a meta-analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medici

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of premature death in developed countries. The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease (NSF CHD)1 sets out national standards for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CHD including explicit recognition of the role of primary care teams. A further NSF chapter ‘Arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death’ was published in 2005,2 emphasising that patients with long-term conditions may be managed in primary care. It also highlighted better access to effective management of arrhythmias in all areas, including primary care. Cardiovascular diagnostic and monitoring equipm

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