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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Systematic review

In a nutshell: A systematic review of 15 randomised controlled trials. The trials involved the promotion of physical activity in sedentary adults, by phone or in person, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Three trials investigated exercise referrals. The researchers found that physical activity levels significantly increased after one year, but that there was insufficient evidence to recommend exercise referral schemes over advice or counselling interventions. More trials are needed to determine the effectiveness of exercise referral interventions.

Length of publication: 17 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Presentations and associated resources

In a nutshell: A number of useful presentations including: ‘Management of people at high-risk of CVD’ and ‘Embedding the NHS Health Check programme within public health’.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the resources. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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Date of publication: April 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: 365 obese patients receiving treatment for hypertension took part in a trial to measure the effectiveness of a behavioural intervention. The ‘Be Fit, Be Well’ intervention promoted weight loss and hypertension self-management. This included tailored goals for behaviour-change, self-monitoring and skills training, which were available online, by telephone, through group support sessions and other methods. After two years, the intervention provided modest weight loss and improved blood pressure control among this high-risk, disadvantaged group of patients.

Length of publication: 10 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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Date of publication: 16 March 2012

Publication type: Guidance

In a nutshell: This guidance is intended to help commissioners establish the best model locally, and identify the most appropriate service providers to deliver the intervention and local health outcomes.

Length of publication: 68 pages plus associated documents

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum weekly e-news briefing 28 March 2012

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Date of publication: 2nd edition, March 2012

Publication type: Standards

In a nutshell: Identifies 7 core components: health behaviour change and education, lifestyle risk factor management, psychosocial health, medical risk factor management, cardioprotective therapies, long-term management, audit and evaluation. Sets standards for the delivery of comprehensive rehabilitation programmes, which are highly cost effective and fundamental to reducing mortality from CVD.

Length of publication: 28 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A study of 45 healthy non-smokers exposed to 120 minutes of diesel exhaust fumes found that they experienced a significant rise in systolic blood pressure, but that their diastolic blood pressure was not affected. The researchers argue that an acute rise in blood pressure has the potential to induce atherosclerotic plaque disruption, myocardial ischemia and other precursors to myocardial infarction, especially in susceptible populations.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Hypertension, 2012 ; Online First

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Research

In a nutshell: This piece of research was based on data from two large prospective cohort studies. The study found that red meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. The authors conclude that substituting one serving of red meat for a serving of fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, low-fat dairy or whole-grains, would result in a 7% to 19% lower mortality risk.

Length of publication: 9 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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Date of publication: 23 February 2012

Publication type: Statistics

In a nutshell: Pulls together statistical information from a number of sources, including the NHS IC and the National Audit Office, and uses data such as Hospital Episode Statistics. The data covers both adults and children, prevalance of obesity, physical activity levels, dietary intakes, and health outcomes across the population.

Length of publication: 1 web page and associated documents

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

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Date of publication: 16 February 2012

Publication type: Guidance

In a nutshell: The post-discharge tariff is mandatory in 2012-13 in respect of the care of patients of trusts providing integrated acute and community services. Where services are not integrated, the tariffs can be used in local negotiations for joint commissioning of post discharge care pathways. It is anticipated that the tariff will be mandatory in 2013-14, and that PbR will eventually cover the whole cardiac rehabilitation pathway, not just the first 30 days post discharge.

Length of publication: 1 page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement:  NHS Improvement Heart eBulletin, 5 March 2012