Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Prevention of cardiovascular disease in a rural general practice
Elżbieta Tomiak1, Sławomir Chlabicz2, Elżbieta Mizgała3
1VITA Team Doctor Family, Training Centre of Family Physicians in Otyniu, Poland.
Insights
Increased preventive consultations in rural general practice significantly lowered blood pressure and cardiovascular risk scores. However, the overall cardiovascular disease prophylaxis program showed limited effectiveness in weight or lipid management.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Preventive Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prophylaxis presents significant organizational challenges in general practice, particularly in rural settings.
- Effective strategies are needed to manage CVD risk factors in primary care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors in a rural population.
- To evaluate the impact of increased prophylactic consultations on clinical parameters, CVD risk factors, and overall cardiovascular risk using the SCORE scale.
Main Methods:
- A study involving rural patients aged 35-55 with at least one modifiable CVD risk factor.
- Data collection included medical history, physical examination, and measurements of blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, blood glucose, and lipid profile.
- Patients were divided into two groups based on the number of prophylactic consultations received, with risk assessment using the SCORE scale at baseline and follow-up.
Main Results:
- Patients receiving more prophylactic consultations showed a statistically significant decrease in mean systolic blood pressure (131.0 to 124.8) and diastolic blood pressure (86.8 to 83.5).
- A significant reduction in total cardiovascular risk score on the SCORE scale was observed in the group with more consultations (p=0.0478).
Conclusions:
- A higher number of preventive consultations positively impacted blood pressure and SCORE values.
- The year-long CVD prophylaxis program demonstrated limited effectiveness in improving body weight or lipid metabolism across both groups.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prophylaxis in general practice, especially in rural areas, is a major organizational challenge.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CVD risk factors in the studied population, and to identify the effect of the number of planned prophylactic consultations on selected clinical parameters, risk factors, and total cardiovascular risk on the SCORE scale (Systemic Coronary Risk Evaluation).
Materials And Method:
The study included patients of a rural general practice, aged 35-55 years, with at least one modifiable CVD risk factor. Medical history was obtained, a physical examination performed, blood glucose levels, lipid profile, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure measured and the SCORE cardiovascular risk at baseline and at the end of the study calculated. All participants were provided with targeted specific education. Analysis was performed in two groups of patients (1 and 2), where group 1 had one more prophylactic consultation than Group 2.
Results:
The results at baseline and a year later were compared in pharmacologically untreated patients, 26 in Group 1 and 34 in Group 2. In Group 1, which had had more prophylactic consultations, a statistically significant decrease was found in the mean systolic blood pressure: 131.000-124.782 (p= 0.02721), mean diastolic blood pressure: 86.846-83.462 (p=0.01111), and a statistically significant decrease in total cardiovascular risk on the SCORE scale (p=0.0478).
Conclusions:
The higher number of preventive consultations had an impact on a statistically significant decrease in mean blood pressure and mean SCORE value. The year-long cardiovascular disease prophylaxis programme proved less effective than expected, and neither a decrease in body weight nor an improvement in lipid metabolism was achieved in any of the groups.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:26Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care