Prevention
What is prevention?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes both heart attacks and strokes. It occurs when fatty deposits (atheroma) form on the inside of the arteries. CVD is largely preventable and people are more likely to develop CVD if they have certain risk factors. Read more...
Prevention workstream
The prevention workstream brings together health professionals, commissioners, public health representatives, voluntary organisations and members of the public from across South London. The group work to improve the consistency and quality across the cardiovascular prevention pathway, ensuring that:
- Those with risk factors for CVD have an equal chance of having their risk factors identified and managed and
- Those with existing disease receive timely and appropriate secondary prevention.
Key work areas
- NHS Health Check
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Hypertension
- Stroke prevention and awareness baseline report
Our publications
- Hypertriglyceridemia pathway - Hypertriglyceridemia denotes high levels of the fatty substance triglycerides in your blood. It has been associated with atherosclerosis, even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia and can cause pancreatitis. The SLCSN has produced a guide for primary care clinicans to help manage this condition.
- Stroke prevention and awareness baseline report - key findings, recommendations and an overview of the public awareness stroke activities for each PCT in South London.
- Stroke Prevention: A priority for commissioning
National priority projects
Stroke prevention in South West London primary care: A sector wide approach to optimising therapy for atrial fibrillation patients in primary care.
In 2011, the SLCSN worked with GPs in Sutton and Merton to optimise treatment of AF. This work followed and built upon the work of the AF National Priority Project in 2010.
- Read the project report with results.
- A summary of the project is also available.
- Read all case summaries.
More on prevention
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes both heart attacks and strokes. It occurs when fatty deposits (atheroma) form on the inside of the arteries. CVD is largely preventable and people are more likely to develop CVD if they have certain risk factors.
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Little physical activity
- Overweight or obese
- Diabetes
- Close relatives with heart disease
- Of South Asian descent
Managing and reducing modifiable risks will reduce or prevent the development of CVD.
Primary prevention is identifying people at high risk of developing CVD and offering them interventions to reduce that risk.
Secondary prevention is working with people who have already been diagnosed with CVD to prevent the progression of their disease and further complications.
Learn more about cardiac and stroke prevention on our Patient pages.
Key recommendations
- Key recommendations from NICE guidance: CVD prevention - This guide for GPs contains all key recommendations from NICE guidance on cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Choosing health: Making healthy choices easier - This Dept of Health report sets out the key principles for supporting the public to make healthier and more informed choices in regards to their health.
- Healthy living from Directgov - Get information on more than 100 topics covering all aspects of healthy living and advice on coping with long-term health conditions.
- NHS Choices: Live well - View more than 100 articles on healthy living.
For further info, please e-mail us at info@slcsn.nhs.uk.
