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 .
Physiologic and related behavioral outcomes from the Women’s Lifestyle Heart Trial
The Women ’s Lifestyle Heart Trial was a small ( N=28 ) r and omized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of a comprehensive lifestyle self-management program ( very low-fat vegetarian diet , stress-management training , exercise , group support , and smoking cessation ) on reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) . Women assigned to the treatment condition ( Prime Time ) participated in a week-long retreat followed by twice-weekly 4-hour meetings . Endpoints were program adherence ; changes in lipid profiles , body mass , blood pressure , hypolipidemic and antihypertensive medications ; and quality of life . Risk factor and psychosocial evaluations were conducted at baseline and at 4 , 12 , and 24 months . Repeated measures analyses of covariance revealed that the dietary , stress management , and physical activity changes made by intervention women were dramatic and lasting . There were significantly greater improvements in the Prime Time condition compared to the usual care control group on body mass , angina symptoms , and quality of life , and a tendency for a greater reduction in blood pressure-lowering medications . Similar patterns were seen in lipids , blood pressure , and lipid-lowering medications , but did not reach significance . These results demonstrate that postmenopausal CHD women can make lasting lifestyle changes , and that these changes may reduce the need for cardiac medications and improve CHD risk factors and quality of life
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 .