Secondary prvention of coronary heart disease

Abstract

• Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have a more than 20% risk of having a further cardiovascular disease event within five years. • Patients with CHD should be screened for dyslipidaemia at six to eight weeks after an MI and for diabetes at least eight weeks after an MI. • Duplex ultrasound can be used to check for carotid, abdominal aortic and femoropopliteal atherosclerosis in patients with CHD. • It is standard to give the SAAB regimen (a statin, aspirin, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and a beta blocker) to patients who have had an acute coronary syndrome. • Blood pressure targets in patients with CHD are determined by the presence of diabetes, renal dysfunction and proteinuria. • Assessment and treatment of depression and social isolation are important in the overall management of patients with CHD.