Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, Patient Education and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
Risk reduction
Cardiovascular risk is modifiable through smoking cessation, blood pressure control, lipid management, glucose control, physical activity, weight management, and a Mediterranean-style diet. Address sleep, stress, depression, and social determinants. Vaccinate against influenza and pneumococcal disease. Smoking cessation is the single most powerful intervention; combine counseling with pharmacotherapy.
Patient education and rehabilitation
Use teach-back and plain language. Cardiac rehabilitation includes exercise training, risk-factor education, and psychosocial support; it reduces mortality and readmissions. Home monitoring, medication adherence, and an action plan for symptoms are core self-care skills. Exercise prescription should be individualized.
Traps
Cardiac rehabilitation is not limited to STEMI patients; it benefits many with CAD, heart failure, and after surgery. Do not simply tell patients to “lose weight” without specific goals. Assess readiness to change rather than lecturing.
Worked example
For a very high-risk patient, guideline targets include LDL cholesterol below 1.4 mmol/L (55 mg/dL) and at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, adapted to capacity.