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Translating guidelines to practice: findings from a multidisciplinary preventive cardiology programme in the west of

Irene Gibson1, Gerard Flaherty, Sarah Cormican

  • 1West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation, Galway, Ireland.

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
|July 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

An intensive preventive cardiology program significantly improved cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This evidence-based approach led to healthier lifestyles and better medical management, sustained for one year.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality globally.
  • High-risk individuals require effective interventions to mitigate CVD development.
  • Existing preventive strategies often lack a holistic, multidisciplinary approach.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of an intensive, evidence-based preventive cardiology program.
  • To evaluate changes in medical and lifestyle risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
  • To determine the long-term sustainability of program-induced improvements.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, descriptive study involving high-CVD risk patients and their families.
  • A 16-week community-based multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention program.
  • Measurement of lifestyle (smoking, diet, physical activity, BMI, waist circumference) and medical risk factors at baseline, program end, and 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

  • High adherence rates observed: 87.2% of participants and 84.6% of partners completed the program.
  • Statistically significant improvements in lifestyle factors (BMI, diet, physical activity, smoking cessation) and medical risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, glycaemic control).
  • Psychosocial improvements noted, including reduced anxiety and depression, and enhanced quality of life, sustained at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • A holistic, evidence-based preventive cardiology program effectively improves cardiovascular risk factors.
  • The program promotes healthier lifestyles and optimal medical management in high-risk individuals.
  • Intervention benefits are sustained at one-year follow-up, highlighting the program's long-term efficacy.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cardiovascular disease preventionguidelineslifestyle modificationmedical risk factor managementmultidisciplinary team

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