Are we treating to target?

The identification of a number of independent risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) led to the development of guidelines for the prevention of CHD in an attempt to target these risk factors and reduce the rates of CHD-related morbidity and mortality. Surveys conducted of physician's clinical practice patterns indicate, however, that the recommendations made in the guidelines are often not implemented and the predefined goals of therapy for patients are not achieved. Possible reasons for this apparent shortfall in preventive care include a lack of physician awareness of evidenced-based guidelines, an insufficient focus towards preventive care in health care systems, and patient non-compliance with lifestyle changes and medication. To ensure an optimal outcome, specialists, primary care physicians and the patient need to provide an integrated approach to the management of CHD. The first step is to achieve universal understanding and implementation of the guidelines. Not only do guidelines promote interventions of proven benefit, but when followed they also improve consistency of care. Nurse-led shared-care programs, which individualize care based on a comprehensive assessment of CHD risk factors, are of proven benefit and offer continuity between the hospital and a patients return to the community. Patients themselves also have a role to play in the management of their disease by adhering to lifestyle changes and medication. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.