Other characteristics , including specialist versus generalist provision , did not appreciably impact programme effectiveness .
Conclusions Shorter secondary prevention programmes , those based in general practice , and those staffed by generalists are at least as effective in reducing all cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease as longer programmes , hospital-based programmes , and programmes staffed by specialists
Background The aim of this study was to determine which programme characteristics influence the effectiveness of secondary prevention programmes for Coronary Heart Disease .
Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease?: The Lifestyle Heart Trial
In a prospect i ve , r and omised , controlled trial to determine whether comprehensive lifestyle changes affect coronary atherosclerosis after 1 year , 28 patients were assigned to an experimental group ( low-fat vegetarian diet , stopping smoking , stress management training , and moderate exercise ) and 20 to a usual-care control group . 195 coronary artery lesions were analysed by quantitative coronary angiography  . The average percentage diameter stenosis regressed from 40.0 ( SD 16.9)% to 37.8 (16.5)% in the experimental group yet progressed from 42.7 (15.5)% to 46.1 (18.5)% in the control group . When only lesions greater than 50 % stenosed were analysed , the average percentage diameter stenosis regressed from 61.1 (8.8)% to 55.8 (11.0)% in the experimental group and progressed from 61.7 (9.5)% to 64.4 (16.3)% in the control group . Overall , 82 % of experimental-group patients had an average change towards regression .  Comprehensive lifestyle changes may be able to bring about regression of even severe coronary atherosclerosis after only 1 year , without use of lipid-lowering drugs
Other characteristics , including specialist versus generalist provision , did not appreciably impact programme effectiveness .
Conclusions Shorter secondary prevention programmes , those based in general practice , and those staffed by generalists are at least as effective in reducing all cause mortality in patients with coronary heart disease as longer programmes , hospital-based programmes , and programmes staffed by specialists
Background The aim of this study was to determine which programme characteristics influence the effectiveness of secondary prevention programmes for Coronary Heart Disease .