Secondary prevention in younger vs. older coronary heart disease patients—insights from the German subset of the EUROASPIRE IV survey
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Purpose: Evidence is limited on implementation of secondary prevention guidelines for coronary heart disease (CHD) in clinical practice and variations between younger and elder patients. We investigated the control of cardiovascular risk factors in German patients with CHD enrolled in the European-wide EUROASPIRE IV survey, stratified by younger (18–69 years) and older (70–79 years) age groups. Method: Eligible subjects were identified via the hospitals’ patient information system and invited to attend a study visit 6 months to 3 years after hospitalization for CHD (myocardial infarction, ischemia, angioplasty/stent, coronary bypass grafting). Information on lifestyle and medication was collected by interview. Results: Five hundred thirty-six patients were recruited in 2012–2013 (median age 69 years [IQR 62–74 years], 18% female, 44% ≥ 70 years of age, median time between index hospitalization and study visit 1.8 [1.1–2.5] years). Proportion of CHD patients receiving recommended drug therapy was 89% for platelet inhibitors (younger vs. older patients 93 vs. 84%, p < 0.01), 83% for statins (83 vs. 85%, p = 0.9), and 83% for beta-blockers (87 vs. 79%, p = 0.02). Uncontrolled blood pressure was observed in 45% (40 vs. 50%, p = 0.02), LDL cholesterol levels > 2.5 mmol/l in 53% (56 vs. 49%, p = 0.1), and HbA1c levels > 7% in diabetic patients in 39% (45 vs. 32%, p = 0.1). Eighty-five percent were overweight (86 vs. 85%, p = 0.8), 37% were obese (41 vs. 31%, p = 0.01), and 10% reported currently smoking (17 vs. 3%, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Although most CHD patients received the drug classes recommended by guidelines, treatment goals were frequently not achieved. Elderly subjects had a less favorable pattern, which may reflect multi-morbidity and weaker identification with treatment targets. National CHD prevention strategies should focus not only on enhancing lifestyle modifications and reaching treatment targets, but also on highlighting the different needs in older individuals.
Date Issued
2018-06-01
Date Acceptance
2017-10-01
Citation
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2018, 25 (3), pp.283-293
ISSN
1070-5503
Publisher
Springer
Start Page
283
End Page
293
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Volume
25
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2017 International Society of Behavioral Medicine. The final publication is available at Springer via https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12529-017-9691-y
Subjects
1701 Psychology
1117 Public Health And Health Services
Public Health
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2017-10-30