OP0330-PARE Love your heart, an online, interactive cardiovascular risk assessment programme for people with ra/ia
Authors: A.M. Bosworth, S. Arora
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Having RA doubles the risk of most heart problems, including heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis — the build-up of fat, cholesterol and cellular debris (plaque) on blood vessel walls. Studies show that approx. 50% of people with RA die prematurely due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) one of the most common co-morbid risks. Many patients and even health professionals are unaware of this leading potentially to poorer long-term outcomes. UK Rheumatologist, Dr. Holly John originally developed and piloted this programme in group face to face format in Dudley which achieved very good results, but the format limited the number of people who could access it and benefit from it. NRAS, with Dr. John's permission, wanted to make it as widely available as possible to all with RA. Being unaware of these risks means that people with RA can be less likely to address factors, firmly within their own control, such as smoking, exercise, weight and diet. <h3>Objectives</h3> In order to make this programme freely available to all, we had to convert a face to face paper-based programme into an on-line, interactive video which would not only educate but enable people to assess their own personal CVD risks and set goals to mitigate such risks. We have also included within the programme baseline and 6 month follow up assessments to measure intended and actual behaviour change. The overall purpose of the programme is to achieve a healthier heart lifestyle thereby reducing premature mortality due to CVD. <h3>Methods</h3> Using the paper participant manual created for the group programme and working closely with Dr. John and other health professional specialists (exercise, smoking cessation, nutrition) at Dudley as well as patients who had attended the programme, we reviewed with our creative film production team the best way to adapt this to create a really engaging, interactive on-line educational experience which would allow participants to undertake the programme over time whilst working through the goal-setting and evaluation process. 2 days of filming were done in Dudley and Maidenhead at the end of 2016 followed by 12 months' period of editing, review, some re-filming and software development. The programme piloted with 20 people with RA at the end of 2017 and their feedback has been incorporated. The programme launches in the UK on 14th February, St. Valentine's Day. Heart-shaped business cards and A4 posters describing the programme with links to register, will be sent to all rheumatology units across the UK in Febuary/March encouring HCPs to refer their patients to Love your Heart. <h3>Results</h3> Many people have registered interest in this programme and we anticipate a high take up immediately post launch. Numbers who have participated by early June, together with anonymised baseline assessment details including intention to change behaviour will be available by June/EULAR should we be successful in having this abstract accepted. <h3>Conclusions</h3> It is too early to make any conclusions but we hope that by <sup>EULAR 2019</sup> we will have some interesting conclusions to report on. We anticipate that this programme is more likely to encourage patients to make heart healthy lifestyle choices than being advised to 'exercise, eat healthily, lose weight, stop smoking' by health professionals during routine clinic appointments. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> We would like to acknowledge the input and commitment of our technology partner Streaming Well Ltd. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared