Effects on physical activity, physical fitness and well-being in a 36-months randomized controlled study, comparing a multimodal hospital-based intervention programme for primary cardiovascular prevention with usual care.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and primary prevention efforts are poorly developed in people at high cardiovascular risk. On this background, we performed the Hjerteløftet Study and demonstrated that participation over 36 months in a multimodal primary prevention programme, significantly reduced validated cardiovascular risk scores. In the current substudy we aimed to further explore several elements and effects following the intervention programme.

High levels of lipoprotein(a) - assessment and treatment.

Approximately 5 % of the population have highly elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), which is a genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Measuring lipoprotein(a) can improve cardiovascular risk stratification and have consequences for preventive measures. Treatment is targeted at reducing modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, but Lp(a)-lowering drugs are being trialled.

Randomized trial of cardiovascular prevention in Norway combining an in-hospital lifestyle course with primary care follow-up: the Hjerteløftet study.

Aims: Cardiovascular risk factor control is suboptimal in Europe, including Norway. The present study examined the efficacy of a multimodal primary prevention intervention programme based on the existing Norwegian health care system.

Methods And Results: In this open-label randomized controlled trial, adult patients with elevated cardiovascular risk were randomly assigned to an intervention programme including a hospital-based lifestyle course and primary care follow-up or to a control group (CG).

Long-term effects (> 24 months) of multiple lifestyle intervention on major cardiovascular risk factors among high-risk subjects: a meta-analysis.

Background: The evidence of the long-term effects of multiple lifestyle intervention on cardiovascular risk is uncertain. We aimed to summarize the evidence from randomized clinical trials examining the efficacy of lifestyle intervention on major cardiovascular risk factors in subjects at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods: Eligible trials investigated the impact of lifestyle intervention versus usual care with minimum 24 months follow-up, reporting more than one major cardiovascular risk factor.

Diet, eating behaviour and weight gain in men and women with overweight/obesity receiving varenicline for smoking cessation.

Because trying to quit smoking and not gain weight requires changes in two major behaviours simultaneously we explored eating behaviour in smokers with overweight/obesity making a quit attempt using guideline-based treatment. Participants were randomized to a carbohydrate-reduced or fat-reduced diet. The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and Binge Eating Scale were completed by 48 of 64 participants in the low-carbohydrate and 47 of 58 in the fat-reduced group at randomization, after 6 and 14 weeks.

Validation of the cardiovascular risk model NORRISK 2 in South Asians and people with diabetes.

To evaluate the predictive ability of the previously published NORRISK 2 cardiovascular risk model in Norwegian-born and immigrants born in South Asia living in Norway, and to add information about diabetes and ethnicity in an updated model for South Asians and diabetics (NORRISK 2-SADia). We included participants (30-74 years) born in Norway ( = 13,885) or South Asia ( = 1942) from health surveys conducted in Oslo 2000-2003. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor information including self-reported diabetes was linked with information on subsequent acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute cerebral stroke in hospital and mortality registry data throughout 2014 from the nationwide CVDNOR project.

BMI modifies the effect of dietary fat on atherogenic lipids: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: SFA intake increases LDL cholesterol whereas PUFA intake lowers it. Whether the lipid response to dietary fat differs between normal-weight and obese persons is of relevance to dietary recommendations for obese populations.

Objectives: We compared the effect of substituting unsaturated fat for saturated fat on LDL cholesterol and apoB concentrations in normal-weight (BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2) and obese (BMI: 30-45) subjects with elevated LDL cholesterol.

Cardiovascular disease and diabetes in patients with African or Asian background.

Background: Population groups of different ancestry appear to have varying prevalence of diabetes, different risks of developing cardiovascular disease and different responses to certain drugs that are used for these conditions. We wished to review the literature in this field.

Material And Method: We have performed searches in several databases for systematic review articles published from the year 2000 onwards, and supplemented these with articles from reference lists, our own literature archives and a pyramid search in the Norwegian Electronic Health Library database.

NORRISK 2: A Norwegian risk model for acute cerebral stroke and myocardial infarction.

Background Guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease recommend the estimation of an individual's total risk. We have developed a new model for the prediction of the 10-year risk of incident acute myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke based on Norwegian data, NORRISK 2. Design The model was based on 10-year follow-up of a large population-based cohort (CONOR) through linkage to the CVDNOR project, a database of cardiovascular disease hospital discharge diagnoses and mortality in Norway in 1994-2009.

Low Carbohydrate and Moderately Fat-Reduced Diets Similarly Affected Early Weight Gain in Varenicline-Treated Overweight or Obese Smokers.

Introduction: Weight gain is common when stopping smoking. This study compared the effect of advising smokers to follow a diet low in carbohydrates versus a usual fat-reduced diet on weight gain and nicotine withdrawal.

Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 122 men and women smokers with body mass index 25-40kg/m(2) were assigned low-carbohydrate versus moderately fat-reduced diets.

Effect of a low-fat versus a low-gycemic-load diet on inflammatory biomarker and adipokine concentrations.

Background: Low-grade inflammation is linked to metabolic syndrome and obesity. We studied the effects of weight loss and dietary composition on serum concentrations of biomarkers of inflammation and adipokines.

Methods: Men and women (n=181) aged 30-65 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 28-40 kg/m(2) (28-35 kg/m(2) for women) and one or more components of metabolic syndrome were randomized to follow one of two hypocaloric diets, a low-fat or low-glycemic-load diet for 3 months.

The influence of long-term awareness of hyperlipidemia and of 3 years of dietary counseling on depression, anxiety, and quality of life.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of participation in a cardiovascular screening program and of dietary counseling on self-reported psychosocial outcomes and health concerns.

Methods: High-risk subjects (n=563) with hyperlipidemia from the Oslo Diet and Antismoking Study (1972-1977) were reexamined after 25 years and randomly assigned to a new 3-year prospective 2x2 factorial placebo-controlled study in 1997 of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or dietary counseling. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Life Satisfaction Index (LSI), and a new questionnaire on health concerns and behavior in response to risk information were collected at the 25-year follow-up.

A randomized clinical trial on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation and all-cause mortality in elderly men at high cardiovascular risk.

Background: The benefit of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation for mortality and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction is well documented, but the effect of n-3 PUFA in Caucasians without established cardiovascular disease is not known. Our aim was to examine the influence of supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in elderly men at high-risk of cardiovascular disease.

Design: In the Diet and Omega-3 Intervention Trial, 563 Norwegian men, 64-76-year old and 72% without overt cardiovascular disease, were randomized to a 3-year 2×2 factorial designed clinical trial of diet counseling and/or 2.

Effect of lifestyle and/or statin treatment on soluble markers of atherosclerosis in hypertensives.

Objectives: To investigate the independent and combined effects of lifestyle changes and statin treatment on soluble markers of atherosclerotic activity.

Design: The study was a randomised, 2 x 2 factorial 1 year intervention trial. Participants (n=177) were sedentary, drug-treated, hypertensive men (aged 40-74 years).

No effect of increased water intake on blood viscosity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Observational data have suggested that increased water intake decreases the risk of CHD. A postulated mechanism is that increased water ingestion reduces blood viscosity. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of increased fluid intake on blood viscosity.

Effect of diet or very long chain omega-3 fatty acids on progression of atherosclerosis, evaluated by carotid plaques, intima-media thickness and by pulse wave propagation in elderly men with hypercholesterolaemia.

Background: This randomized study targeted a comparison of the effect of 3-year diet counselling or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation (2.4 g/day) on the progression of atherosclerosis in carotid arteries and on finger pulse wave propagation.

Methods: Measurements were assessed by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound and a photopletysmographic finger pulse-sensor, respectively.

Markers of inflammation are inversely related to physical activity and fitness in sedentary men with treated hypertension.

Background: Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. We studied the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness and soluble markers of atherosclerotic activity in men with drug-treated hypertension.

Methods: The participants (n = 177, 40 to 74 years of age), who were randomly recruited from the Hypertension High Risk Management Trial (HYRIM), were overweight and had sedentary lifestyles.