Integrated Management Of Cardiovascular Risk

The WHO CVD-Risk Management package contains a variety of components to guide healthcare providers and health systems even those with very minimal resources to more effective CVD risk management through easy-to-follow risk-assessment and risk-management algorithms; lifestyle counselling protocols; drug treatment protocols; referral pathways and follow-up schedules.

2 vols. not sold separately by the Stationery Office. Contents: (1) Integrated management of cardiovascular risk: report of a WHO meeting, Geneva, 9-12 July 2002 (ISBN 9241562242); (2) WHO CVD-risk management package for low- and medium-resource settings (ISBN 9241545852)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), once thought to be confined primarily to industrialized nations, has emerged as a major health threat in developing countries. Cardiovascular disease now accounts for nearly 30 percent of deaths in low and middle income countries each year, and is accompanied by significant economic repercussions. Yet most governments, global health institutions, and development agencies have largely overlooked CVD as they have invested in health in developing countries. Recognizing the gap between the compelling evidence of the global CVD burden and the investment needed to prevent and control CVD, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) turned to the IOM for advice on how to catalyze change. In this report, the IOM recommends that the NHLBI, development agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and governments work toward two essential goals: creating environments that promote heart healthy lifestyle choices and help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and building public health infrastructure and health systems with the capacity to implement programs that will effectively detect and reduce risk and manage CVD. To meet these goals, the IOM recommends several steps, including improving cooperation and collaboration; implementing effective and feasible strategies; and informing efforts through research and health surveillance. Without better efforts to promote cardiovascular health, global health as a whole will be undermined.

For many years, individual cardiovascular risk factors have been dealt with in isolation, often by specialists with an interest in one particular risk factor, for example hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia. There has recently been a move to emphasise the importance of reducing global cardiovascular risk, which requires clinicians to address any one of a number of different risk factors. The interplay between these various factors is important in our understanding of development of cardiovascular disease and, similarly, the synergistic effects of targeting different risk factors is important in risk reduction. This text provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of modern cardiovascular risk management. It belongs to the 'In Clinical Practice' series, which incorporate multiple illustrations using novel and effective formats. Data are frequently presented as bullet point lists or tables so that the key information is clearly available. The emphasis is on overall cardiovascular risk reduction throughout, with integration of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. Jointly written by specialists and GPs to provide cutting edge information tailored perfectly for the primary care settingInclude management algorithms to provide quick reference treatment pathwaysCredible evidence-based sources - when possible, evidence base for best practice by reference to primary research or international guidelinesBullet lists and short tables for clear presentation of key information

The WHO CVD-Risk Management package contains a variety of components to guide healthcare providers and health systems, even those with very minimal resources, to more effective CVD risk management through easy-to-follow risk-assessment and risk-management algorithms; lifestyle counselling protocols; drug treatment protocols; referral pathways, and follow-up schedules.

Cardiovascular, respiratory, and related conditions cause more than 40 percent of all deaths globally, and their substantial burden is rising, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their burden extends well beyond health effects to include significant economic and societal consequences. Most of these conditions are related, share risk factors, and have common control measures at the clinical, population, and policy levels. Lives can be extended and improved when these diseases are prevented, detected, and managed. This volume summarizes current knowledge and presents evidence-based interventions that are effective, cost-effective, and scalable in LMICs.

Among the non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular disorders are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in both the developed and the developing countries. The spectrum of risk factors is wide and their understanding is imperative to prevent the first and recurrent episodes of myocardial infarction, stroke or peripheral vascular disease which may prove fatal or disabling. This book has tried to present an update on risk factors incorporating new research which has thrown more light on the existing knowledge. It has also tried to highlight regional diversity addressing such issues. It will hopefully be resourceful to the cardiologists, general practitioners, family physicians, researchers, graduate students committed to cardiovascular risk prevention.