Factors influencing implementation of digital cardiac rehabilitation: A qualitative analysis of health workers perspectives.

Background: Despite growing evidence for the effectiveness of digital cardiac rehabilitation (CR) uptake of this technology remains low. Understanding the factors that influence implementation of digital CR in clinical practice is a growing area of research. The aim of this nested qualitative study was to explore health worker perspectives on factors influencing implementation of a digital CR programme.

Using a digital health intervention "INTERCEPT" to improve secondary prevention in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients: protocol for a mixed methods non-randomised feasibility study.

Digital health interventions (DHIs) are increasingly used for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of "INTERCEPT", a co-designed DHI developed to improve secondary prevention in hospitalised coronary heart disease patients (CHD). This non-randomised feasibility study will be conducted using a mixed methods process evaluation with a sample of 40 patients in an acute hospital setting.

Mobile health technologies to improve walking distance in people with intermittent claudication.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the obstruction or narrowing of the large arteries of the lower limbs, which can result in impaired oxygen supply to the muscle and other tissues during exercise, or even at rest in more severe cases. PAD is classified into five categories (Fontaine classification). It may be asymptomatic or various levels of claudication pain may be present; at a later stage, there may be ulceration or gangrene of the limb, with amputation occasionally being required.

Factors associated with weight loss and health gains in a structured lifestyle modification programme for adults with severe obesity: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Individual responses to behavioural weight loss interventions can vary significantly, and a better understanding of the factors associated with successful treatment might help to target interventions for those who will benefit the most. We sought to identify demographic and clinical characteristics that predicted intervention "success" (defined as ≥5% weight loss) and other health gains in patients with severe obesity attending a ten-week structured lifestyle modification programme.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of all 1122 patients (751 (66.

Harnessing digital health to optimise the delivery of guideline-based cardiac rehabilitation during COVID-19: an observational study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the uptake of digital health interventions for the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). However, there is a need to evaluate these interventions.

Methods: We examined the impact of an evidence-based, digital CR programme on medical, lifestyle and psychosocial outcomes.

Obesity in Adults: A 2022 Adapted Clinical Practice Guideline for Ireland.

Background: This Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) for the management of obesity in adults in Ireland, adapted from the Canadian CPG, defines obesity as a complex chronic disease characterised by excess or dysfunctional adiposity that impairs health. The guideline reflects substantial advances in the understanding of the determinants, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment of obesity.

Summary: It shifts the focus of obesity management toward improving patient-centred health outcomes, functional outcomes, and social and economic participation, rather than weight loss alone.

Yeast β-Glucan Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Mice Humanized with Obese Type 2 Diabetic Gut Microbiota.

Scope: Gut microbiota alterations are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Yeast β-glucans are potential modulators of the innate immune-metabolic response, by impacting glucose, lipid, and cholesterol homeostasis. The study examines whether yeast β-glucan interacts differentially with either an obese healthy or obese diabetic gut microbiome, to impact metabolic health through hepatic effects under high-fat dietary challenge.

Improved Quality of Life, Fitness, Mental Health and Cardiovascular Risk Factors with a Publicly Funded Bariatric Lifestyle Intervention for Adults with Severe Obesity: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Lifestyle modification is the cornerstone of management for patients with severe and complicated obesity, but the effects of structured lifestyle programmes on quality of life, anxiety and depression scores and cardiovascular risk factors are not well-described. We sought to describe changes in self-reported quality of life and mental health-related outcomes as well as cardiovascular risk factors in patients completing a 10-week multidisciplinary lifestyle-modification programme.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of all patients referred from our bariatric service who completed the programme between 2013 and 2019.

Interhospital and interindividual variability in secondary prevention: a comparison of outpatients with a history of chronic coronary syndrome versus outpatients with a history of acute coronary syndrome (the iASPIRE Study).

Background: Studying variability in the care provided to secondary prevention coronary heart disease (CHD) outpatients can identify interventions to improve their outcomes.

Methods: We studied outpatients who had an index CHD event in the preceding 6-24 months. Eligible CHD events included acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and coronary revascularisation for stable chronic coronary syndrome (CCS).

EAPC Core Curriculum for Preventive Cardiology.

Preventive cardiology encompasses the whole spectrum of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, at individual and population level, through all stages of life. This includes promotion of cardiovascular (CV) health, management of individuals at risk of developing CVD, and management of patients with established CVD, through interdisciplinary care in different settings. Preventive cardiology addresses all aspects of CV health in the context of the social determinants of health, including physical activity, exercise, sports, nutrition, weight management, smoking cessation, psychosocial factors and behavioural change, environmental, genetic and biological risk factors, and CV protective medications.

Evaluation of a Community-Based Cardiovascular Prevention Program in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Purpose: An outcomes' evaluation of a community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention program in persons with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Design: A prospective, observational study.

Setting: A community-setting in Ireland.

A telephone reminder to enhance adherence to interventions in cardiovascular randomized trials: A protocol for a study within a trial (SWAT).

The impact of reduced adherence in randomized clinical trials is well documented in the literature. Nonadherence can negatively affect the trial sample size and estimation of the treatment effect. This protocol aims to evaluate the effects of a telephone call reminder on the adherence rates of participants to interventions in a cardiovascular randomized trial.

The role of public health nurses in risk factor modification within a high-risk cardiovascular disease population in Ireland - a qualitative analysis.

Background/aims: Health promotion for cardiovascular disease risk factors management is essential to secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease events. In Ireland, post-cardiac rehabilitation patients are discharged into the care of community public health nurses, who have a health promotion role. Little is known of the public health nurses' perceptions or knowledge surrounding their role in cardiovascular disease risk factor management.

Sleep to Lower Elevated Blood Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Trial (SLEPT).

Background: Impaired sleep quality is common and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), thought to be mediated through adverse effects on established vascular risk factors, particularly hypertension. We determined if a web-delivered sleep intervention (sleep-hygiene education, stimulus control, and cognitive behavioral therapy) reduces blood pressure compared to vascular risk factor education (standard care) alone.

Methods: Phase II randomized, blinded, controlled trial of 134 participants without CVD with mild sleep impairment and blood pressure 130-160/<110 mm Hg.

Effects of an icon-based menu labelling initiative on consumer food choice.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an icon-based menu labelling initiative on consumer buying behaviour.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited a convenience sample of eight food service establishments, all with at least one menu item meeting the heart healthy criteria. Data from sales of all menu items sold over an 8-week period were collated 4 weeks prior to and 4 weeks during the display of information icons related to healthy food choices on menus.

Can the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes Be Delayed by a Group-Based Lifestyle Intervention in Women with Prediabetes following Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)? Findings from a Randomized Control Mixed Methods Trial.

Objective: To evaluate a 12-week group-based lifestyle intervention programme for women with prediabetes following gestational diabetes (GDM).

Design: A two-group, mixed methods randomized controlled trial in which 50 women with a history of GDM and abnormal glucose tolerance postpartum were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 24) or wait control (n = 26) and postintervention qualitative interviews with participants.

Main Outcome Measures: Modifiable biochemical, anthropometric, behavioural, and psychosocial risk factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

Effects of an eight-week supervised, structured lifestyle modification programme on anthropometric, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in severely obese adults.

Background: Lifestyle modification is fundamental to obesity treatment, but few studies have described the effects of structured lifestyle programmes specifically in bariatric patients. We sought to describe changes in anthropometric and metabolic characteristics in a cohort of bariatric patients after participation in a nurse-led, structured lifestyle programme.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kgm(-2) (or ≥ 35 kgm(-2) with significant co-morbidity) who were attending a regional bariatric service and who completed a single centre, 8-week, nurse-led multidisciplinary lifestyle modification programme.

Reasons for participation and non-participation in a diabetes prevention trial among women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle intervention can prevent progression to type 2 diabetes in high risk populations. We designed a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of an established lifestyle intervention compared to standard care for delaying diabetes onset in European women with recent GDM.

Translating guidelines to practice: findings from a multidisciplinary preventive cardiology programme in the west of Ireland.

Aims: The aim of this observational, descriptive study is to evaluate the impact of an intensive, evidence-based preventive cardiology programme on medical and lifestyle risk factors in patients at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: Increased CVD risk patients and their family members/partners were invited to attend a 16-week programme consisting of a professional multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention, with appropriate risk factor and therapeutic management in a community setting. Smoking, dietary habits, physical activity levels, waist circumference and body mass index, and medical risk factors were measured at initial assessment, at end of programme, and at 1-year follow up.

An evaluation of Croí MyAction community lifestyle modification programme compared to standard care to reduce progression to diabetes/pre-diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Universal screening using the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria has identified a prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) of 12.4% in women living in Ireland. Women with prior GDM are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.