The benefits of nurse led secondary prevention clinics for coronary heart disease continued after 4 years
QUESTION: In patients with pre-existing coronary heart disease (CHD), do the benefits of nurse led secondary prevention clinics continue beyond 1 year?
Design
Randomised {allocation concealed}*, unblinded*, controlled trial with mean follow up of 4.7 years.
Setting
19 randomly selected general practices in Scotland, UK.
Patients
1343 patients (mean age 66 y, 58% men) who had CHD. Exclusion criteria were terminal illness, dementia, and inability to leave home. 82% of patients were followed up.
Intervention
673 patients were allocated to receive invitations to attend secondary prevention clinics at their general practice where nurses reviewed symptoms and treatments, promoted aspirin use, reviewed blood pressure and lipid management, assessed lifestyle factors, and negotiated any necessary behavioural changes. 670 patients were allocated to usual care. …








