Review: counselling and education reduce cardiovascular risk factors but not mortality
QUESTION: In people without evidence of established cardiovascular disease, do counselling or educational interventions reduce cardiovascular risk factors, deaths from all causes, and deaths from coronary artery disease (CAD)?
Data sources
Studies were identified using Medline (1966 to April 1995), bibliographies of relevant studies, and by contacting experts.
Study selection
Studies were selected if they were randomised controlled trials with ≥6 months of follow up of counselling or educational interventions with or without medications aimed at controlling ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor (blood pressure, smoking, total blood cholesterol, physical activity, and diet) in people ⩾40 years of age without evidence of cardiovascular disease.
Data extraction
Data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers on methodological quality …
