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 .
The Lowering of Vascular Atherosclerotic Risk (LOVAR) program: an approach to modifying cerebral, cardiac, and peripheral vascular disease.
More than 1 million US citizens die of cerebral , cardiac , and peripheral vascular disease ( collectively , CVD ) each year . Basic science and clinical outcome research aim ed at reducing the burden of this illness is widespread , but the knowledge gleaned from controlled trials has not fully translated into everyday clinical practice and care of patients with CVD and their inherent risk factors . The Lowering of Vascular Atherosclerotic Risk ( LOVAR ) program was a 5-year observational study that evaluated the feasibility of a high-intensity multidisciplinary program of risk factor reduction in a population with known symptoms of CVD . The population comprised patients with documented clinical ly symptomatic cerebral , cardiac , or peripheral vascular disease and at least two modifiable risk factors for stroke , myocardial infa rct ion , or peripheral vascular occlusive disease . Final outcomes were evaluated by comparing primary and secondary end points and quality of life .  A total of 271 patients were enrolled in the intervention group , and 242 were enrolled in the st and ard care group ( control ) .  At 3 years , significant improvements in several risk factors were seen in the intervention group , with no significant improvements for the control group . The rate of patient retention was 95 % at 3 years , and overall rates of physician and patient satisfaction were high . We believe that the Lowering of Vascular Atherosclerotic Risk program is generalizable to a sufficiently motivated population targeted as high risk for vascular disease
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 .