Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: Risk factors must be assessed and treatment targets met to prevent patients with coronary heart disease having a further cardiovascular event

Abstract

Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) have a more than 20% risk of having a further cardiovascular disease event within five years. 堐atients 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. 堄uplex ultrasound can be used to check for carotid, abdominal aortic and femoropopliteal atherosclerosis in patients with CHD. 堉t 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. 堂lood pressure targets in patients with CHD are determined by the presence of diabetes, renal dysfunction and proteinuria. 堁ssessment and treatment of depression and social isolation are important in the overall management of patients with CHD.