Multifactorial lifestyle interventions aim ed at improving modifiable risk factors in patients with established CHD reduce the risk for fatal cardiovascular events .
Therefore , they may have added value in secondary prevention of CHD
CONTEXT Coronary heart disease ( CHD ) is responsible for about 15 % of all deaths worldwide and is identified as a top priority for decision makers .
Both primary and secondary prevention are considered key strategies in the prevention of CHD .
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of nonpharmacologic interventions with multiple lifestyle components in patients with established CHD in comparison to usual care .
REDUCTION IN SUDDEN DEATHS BY A MULTIFACTORIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMME AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
375 consecutive patients below 65 years who had an acute myocardial infa rct ion ( AMI ) took part in a r and omised rehabilitation and secondary prevention trial ( part of a W.H.O.-coordinated project ) design ed to study the effects of a multifactorial intervention programme on morbidity , mortality , return to work , & c. After three years ' follow-up the cumulative coronary mortality was significantly smaller in the intervention group than in the controls ( 18.6 % versus 29.4 % , p = 0.02 ) . This difference was mainly due to a reduction of sudden deaths in the intervention group ( 5.8 % versus 14.4 % , p less than 0.01 ) . The reduction was greatest during the first six months after AMI . 18.1 % in the intervention group and 11.2 % in the controls ( p less than 0.10 ) presented with non-fatal reinfa rct ions . The number of patients with new Q-QS findings at the end of the three years was , however , almost the same in both groups . The results suggest that organised aftercare during the first six months after AMI with special emphasis on optimum medical control and health education contributes significantly to a reduction in the number of sudden deaths
Multifactorial lifestyle interventions aim ed at improving modifiable risk factors in patients with established CHD reduce the risk for fatal cardiovascular events .
Therefore , they may have added value in secondary prevention of CHD
CONTEXT Coronary heart disease ( CHD ) is responsible for about 15 % of all deaths worldwide and is identified as a top priority for decision makers .
Both primary and secondary prevention are considered key strategies in the prevention of CHD .
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of nonpharmacologic interventions with multiple lifestyle components in patients with established CHD in comparison to usual care .