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Heartwatch: a secondary prevention programme in primary care in Ireland

Kathleen Bennett1, Siobhan Jennings, Claire Collins

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. bennettk@tcd.ie

European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation : Official Journal of the European Society of Cardiology, Working Groups on Epidemiology & Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology
|January 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

The Heartwatch program improved key coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and treatments in primary care. However, further interventions are needed to address body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and physical inactivity.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • The Heartwatch program, initiated in 2003, aligns with European guidelines for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD).
  • This secondary prevention initiative operates within a primary care setting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the initial two years of the Heartwatch program on cardiovascular risk factors and treatment strategies.
  • To assess changes in patient outcomes and adherence to secondary prevention protocols.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study design was employed, enrolling patients with established CHD into the Heartwatch program.
  • Data from 11,542 patients across 470 general practices were collected electronically over two years.
  • Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and McNemar's tests to compare baseline, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up data.

Main Results:

  • Significant reductions were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol, and smoking rates (P <0.0001).
  • Limited improvements were noted for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and exercise levels.
  • Prescription rates for statins, ACE inhibitors, and beta-blockers increased significantly during the study period.

Conclusions:

  • The Heartwatch program successfully improved major CHD risk factors and treatment adherence.
  • Enhanced interventions are necessary to target BMI, waist circumference, and physical inactivity.
  • Treatment uptake has approached optimal levels, indicating program effectiveness in medication management.
Abstract

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