Feasibility of a text-mediated recall system to increase cardiovascular disease risk assessment in general practice: Mixed-methods pilot evaluation.

Background And Objectives: The uptake of formal cardiovascular disease risk assessment in the primary prevention setting is low. We tested the feasibility of an SMS recall system to invite eligible patients for a Heart Health Check in Australian general practice.

Method: Of 332 general practices that expressed interest in the study, 231 were randomised to either an intervention or wait list control group.

Providing guideline-recommended preventive cardiovascular care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: exploring gender differences with a medical record review in primary health care.

Background: For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the premature burden of cardiovascular disease is affecting their capacity to fulfil roles in society, and promote the health and wellbeing of future generations. In Australia, there is limited understanding of the difference in primary preventive cardiovascular care experienced by women, despite knowledge of sex and gender differentials in health profile and receipt of guideline-based acute care. This paper sought to explore the health profile and receipt of assessment and management of cardiovascular risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women accessing preventive primary health care, and investigate gender differentials.

Development and Use of a Cardiac Clinical Guideline Mobile App in Australia: Acceptability and Multi-Methods Study.

Background: Implementation of clinical guidelines into routine practice remains highly variable. Strategies to increase guideline uptake include developing digital tools and mobile apps for use in clinical practice. The National Heart Foundation of Australia in collaboration with the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand published 3 key cardiac clinical guidelines, including the Australian clinical guidelines for the (1) prevention and detection of atrial fibrillation, (2) detection and management of heart failure, and (3) management of acute coronary syndromes.

A systematic review on assessment and management of preventive cardiovascular care in primary health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men.

In promoting positive cardiovascular health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, there is a need to ensure provision of high-quality risk assessment and management in primary healthcare settings. There is some evidence of gender gaps for Australian women in the provision of cardiovascular risk assessment and management; however, there is little understanding of whether these gaps are also present for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. A mixed-method systematic review was utilised to synthesise existing evidence on the provision of assessment and management against guideline-recommended care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and determine whether gender disparities in provision of care exist for this population.

Cognitive impairment and psychological state in acute coronary syndrome patients: A prospective descriptive study at cardiac rehabilitation entry, completion and follow-up.

Background: Cognitive impairment may limit the uptake of secondary prevention in acute coronary syndrome patients, but is poorly understood, including in cardiac rehabilitation participants.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore cognitive impairment in relation to psychological state in acute coronary syndrome patients over the course of cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up.

Methods: Acute coronary syndrome patients without diagnosed dementia were assessed on verbal learning, processing speed, executive function and visual attention, at cardiac rehabilitation entry, completion and follow-up and scores adjusted using normative data.

Experiences of a National Web-Based Heart Age Calculator for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: User Characteristics, Heart Age Results, and Behavior Change Survey.

Background: Heart age calculators are used worldwide to engage the public in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Experimental studies with small samples have found mixed effects of these tools, and previous reports of population samples that used web-based heart age tools have not evaluated psychological and behavioral outcomes.

Objective: This study aims to report on national users of the Australian heart age calculator and the follow-up of a sample of users.

Smoke-free outdoor areas: supporting local government to introduce tobacco control policies.

Objectives: To ascertain the proportion of councils with smoke-free outdoor areas (SFOA) policies in New South Wales (NSW), Australia and to explore the enablers and barriers to local governments introducing such policies.

Methods: A structured survey of council staff at NSW councils was conducted by telephone in 2011. Participants were asked about the existence of any SFOA policy, and enablers and barriers of the policy.

A systematic approach to chronic heart failure care: a consensus statement.

The National Heart Foundation of Australia assembled an expert panel to provide guidance on policy and system changes to improve the quality of care for people with chronic heart failure (CHF). The recommendations have the potential to reduce emergency presentations, hospitalisations and premature death among patients with CHF. Best-practice management of CHF involves evidence-based, multidisciplinary, patient-centred care, which leads to better health outcomes.

Cardiovascular disease in women: implications for improving health outcomes.

Objective: To collate data on women and cardiovascular disease in Australia and globally to inform public health campaigns and health care interventions.

Design: Literature review.

Results: Women with acute coronary syndromes show consistently poorer outcomes than men, independent of comorbidity and management, despite less anatomical obstruction of coronary arteries and relatively preserved left ventricular function.