Current guidelines and treatment

CVD – Current guidelines and treatment

Cardiovascular disease remains the biggest cause of premature death in the UK with 180,000 deaths from CVD, of which 80,000 are from coronary heart disease (CHD) and 49,000 from cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Some 46,000 of these deaths occur before the age of 75. It is not only the mortality of CVD that is concerning, although this has fallen by two-thirds since 1980, but the morbidity it causes: approximately 150,000 people each year have a stroke and 103,000 have a heart attack.¹ A patient with one circulatory disease is at higher risk of having others and therefore it is best practice to consider their overall cardiovascular risk and treat accordingly.² Practice nurses are at the forefront of this work as when they see the patient for one chronic disease, they are in an ideal position to address the bigger picture.

Aims and Objectives

On completion of this resource you should have an understanding of:

• What is meant by the family of cardiovascular diseases
• The key recommendations in relation to stroke guidance
• Assessing chest pain and making a diagnosis
• The management of angina
• The guidance for lipid modification

This module, offered at intermediate level, explores the management of cardiovascular disease based on current guidelines. Complete the module, including the recommended reading and some or all of the suggested activities, to obtain a certificate of one hour’s CPD to add to your portfolio.

References

1. British Heart Foundation. Coronary Heart Disease Statistics, 2012. https://www.bhf.org.uk/publications/view-publication.aspx?ps=1002097

2. Department of Health, Cardiovascular disease outcomes strategy, improving outcomes for people with or at risk of cardiovascular disease, 2013. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/214895/9387-2900853-CVD-Outcomes_web1.pdf