Editorial

Given that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas, the NHS Long Term Plan recognises that CVD is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years.

In the 70 years since the NHS was founded there have indeed been remarkable successes in reducing mortality from common conditions, an important example being deaths due to heart and circulatory disease. Yet the statistics show that there is more to be done to prevent the toll of premature death and years of disability associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). For this reason, we welcome the continuing focus on CVD prevention as set out in this publication, produced with the support of Public Health England and NHS England.

This article reviews the important and growing role of the NHS Health Check in tackling some of the challenges in prevention and treatment of CVD and other non-communicable diseases.

An educational workshop at the 2017 Issues & Answers conference highlighted heart valve disease and the important role of primary care in its effective management. Across the UK approximately 1.5 million people >65 years are currently affected by the disease numbers predicted to more than double to 3.3 million by 2056.

Cardiovascular disease is a much more preventable issue than many healthcare professionals realise. Medical advances, together with reduced premature mortality from CVD  and increased life expectancy, means that on top of the demands of an ageing population we are also living ‘less-well’ for longer, and creating a different kind of pressure on services.

The recent British Society for Heart Failure meeting included presentations from some of the UK’s leading experts in HF. This report focuses on some of the topics that will be useful to professionals in primary care with an interest in HF management. 

The concept of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is certainly not new, and although much work has been done, there appears to be a drive to think differently about the way in which such initiatives are delivered. The workplace offers a convenient alternative environment to the conventional health care setting where employees can receive health and well-being services, including health checks and educational sessions.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Ireland and diminishes quality of life and places a burden on health care services. There is little known about CVD with regard to nurses’ health in Ireland. The overall aim of this study was to assess the lifestyle of cardiac nurses working in an acute setting for the first time in Ireland. These findings may have implications for primary care nurses.