chd

Cardiovascular Health

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	What are we doing to take the Cardiovascular Health agenda forward?

	Our Strategic Approach

	Health Promotion is leading on the development and facilitating the implementation of effective strategies for: reducing smoking promoting healthy eating promoting physical activity promoting effective weight management The strategies would serve as guidance to Health Improvement Programme (HImP) implementation groups to deliver locally based cardiovascular health promoting initiatives taking into account the individual health needs of the locality's population.

	Cardiovascular Health in Berkshire

	Berkshire Health Promotion (BHP) is taking forward the Government's Health agenda for improving the heart health of the Berkshire population. Key Government Policies that structure and inform our work include: Saving Lives- Our Healthier Nation, 1999 Cardiovascular Disease National Service Framework (CHD-NSF) National Priorities Guidance 2000-2001 The white paper "Saving Lives - Our Healthier Nation" recognises that the United Kingdom has, one of the highest rates of deaths from circulatory disease, and identified coronary heart disease.

	The Government's target is to reduce the deaths from CHD and stroke by 40 % by the year 2010


	What is Coronary Heart Disease?

	CHD is a common, disabling and life-threatening condition and it accounts for about a third of all deaths each year. Berkshire's epidemiological evidence indicates that it is following a national downward trend in the incidence of CHD.This is partly due to a greater awareness of the risks factors of heart disease, especially smoking, and advances in treatment, such as the introduction of clot-dissolving drugs (thrombolysis) for patients who have had heart disease.

	CHD in Berkshire

	Despite these encouraging trends the number of deaths from CHD in Berkshire (approximately 1300 each year) are still too high. The morbidity and mortality associated with CHD can be prevented, or minimised, by a range of preventative health measures. Some of the modifiable risk factors for CHD are: Diet Physical Activity Smoking Psycho-social stress The Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework sets out 12 standards with clear objectives and milestones for the prevention and treatment of CHD. Reducing heart disease in the population (Standards 1 and 2) Preventing CHD in high risk patients (Standards 3 and 4) Heart attack and other acute coronary syndromes (Standards 5, 6 and 7) Stable angina (Standard 8) Revascularisation (Standard 9 & 10) Heart failure (Standard 11) Cardiac rehabilitation (Standard 12) Berkshire Health Promotion in conjunction with Public Health are leading on the primary prevention aspects of the NSF working in partnership with local agencies. They are:

	Standard 1

	The NHS partner agencies should develop, implement and monitor policies that reduce the prevalence of coronary risk factors and reduce inequalities in the risk of developing CHD.

	Standard 2

	The NHS partners should contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of smoking in the local population.

	We have input into the development and delivery of the Standards 3 and 4, which are:

	Standard 3

	General Practitioners and Primary Care teams should identify all people with established cardiovascular disease and offer them comprehensive advice and appropriate treatment to reduce their risks.

	Standard 4

	General Practitioners and primary health care teams should identify all people at significant risk of cardiovascular disease but who have not yet developed symptoms and offer them appropriate advice and treatment to reduce their risks.