Key result
Routine screening and targeted intervention for lifestyle factors manage coronary heart disease risk in primary care.
Why the study?
Most patients seen by primary care physicians in the United States have habits that increase their risk of coronary heart disease and desire help to change these habits.
Emphasizes the importance of routine risk factor assessment and peer group-level behavioral changes for coronary heart disease prevention in primary care.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support routine CHD risk assessment in primary care; leaves open need for randomized confirmation.
Most patients seen in the offices of primary care physicians in the United States have habits that put them at needlessly high risk of coronary heart disease. These patients usually report that they would like help from their physician in changing their habits. Peer group pressure, however, tends to discourage change. In comparison with making large changes in selected individuals, making small changes in the expectations and behaviors of an entire peer group is easier and will lead to greater changes in disease rates. All patients seen by a physician should have a periodic nutritional assessment, smoking assessment, and blood pressure measurement. Those patients who do not smoke, are normotensive, and have optimal dietary patterns should be vigorously praised. Those who have less than optimal risk factor behaviors should receive further intervention.
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Thomas E. Kottke (1985) conducted an editorial in Coronary heart disease. Routine risk factor assessment and intervention was evaluated. Routine assessment of nutrition, smoking, and blood pressure, followed by targeted intervention or praise, is recommended to manage coronary heart disease risk factors in primary care.
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