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 .
Regular Physical Exercise and Low‐Fat Diet: Effects on Progression of Coronary Artery Disease
Background Significant regression of coronary and femoral atherosclerotic lesions has been documented by angiographic studies using aggressive lipid-lowering treatment . This study tested the applicability and effects of intensive physical exercise and low-fat diet on coronary morphology and myocardial perfusion in nonselected patients with stable angina pectoris . Methods and Results Patients were recruited after routine coronary angiography for stable angina pectoris ; they were r and omized to an  intervention group ( n = 56 ) and a  control group on “ usual care ” ( n = 57 ) . Treatment comprised intensive physical exercise in group training sessions ( minimum , 2 hr/wk ) , daily home exercise periods ( 20 min/d ) , and low-fat , low-cholesterol diet ( American Heart Association recommendation , phase 3 ) . No lipid-lowering agents were prescribed . After 12 months of participation , repeat coronary angiography was performed ; relative and minimal diameter reductions of coronary lesions were measured by digital image processing . Change in myocardial perfusion was assessed by 201TI scintigraphy . In patients participating in the intervention group , body weight decreased by 5 % ( p<0.001 ) , total cholesterol by 10 % ( p<0.001 ) , and triglycerides by 24 % ( p<0.001 ) ; high density lipoproteins increased by 3 % ( p = NS ) . Physical work capacity improved by 23 % ( p<0.0001 ) , and myocardial oxygen consumption , as estimated from maximal rate-pressure product , by 10 % , ( p<0.05 ) . Stress-induced myocardial ischemia decreased concurrently , indicating improvement of myocardial perfusion . Based on minimal lesion diameter , progression of coronary lesions was noted in nine patients ( 23 % ) , no change in 18 patients ( 45 % ) , and regression in 13 patients ( 32 % ) . In the control group , metabolic and hemodynamic variables remained essentially unchanged , whereas progression of coronary lesions was noted in 25 patients ( 48 % ) , no change in 18 patients ( 35 % ) , and regression in nine patients ( 17 % ) . These changes were significantly different from the intervention group ( p<0.05 ) . Conclusions In patients participating in regular physical exercise and low-fat diet , coronary artery disease progresses at a slower pace compared with a control group on usual care
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 .