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Coronary heart disease

The main factors that can increase your risk of developing coronary heart disease include: smoking, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight or obese, family history, ethnic background, gender and age. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable by adopting healthy behaviours.

Does salt really affect blood pressure?
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Exercise for people with heart disease: Can health education help change behaviours?
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Nurse-led clinics offer support for people with heart disease
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123 Show All 26Blog Posts 60Evidence Summaries 37Web Resource Ratings 9Patient Decision Aids

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  • Evidence Summary

    Educational and behavioural interventions for anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Providing patients and their care providers with information about cardiovascular disease risk may help with prevention measures

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    BMJ Open (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Dietary fibre for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Reduced or modified dietary fat for preventing cardiovascular disease

    Rating 5 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012)
  • Evidence Summary

    Psychological interventions for depression and anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure or atrial fibrillation.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2024)
  • Evidence Summary

    Home-based versus centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2023)
  • Evidence Summary

    Technologies, such as smartwatches or smartphones, may improve behavioural and health outcomes among those living with cardiovascular disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Jmir Mhealth and Uhealth (2021)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2021)
  • Evidence Summary

    The Paleo diet may reduce weight, waist circumference, BMI, and body fat percentage in adults, but overall more research is needed to draw firm conclusions on its effect on risk factors for cardiovascular disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Advances in Nutrition (2019)
  • Evidence Summary

    The Portfolio diet in combination with an NCEP Step II diet may reduce multiple cardiometabolic risk factors

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Mediterranean-style diet for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2019)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people who do not have cardiovascular disease, aspirin does not reduce risk for death but does increase major bleeding

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Eur Heart J (2019)
  • Evidence Summary

    Folic acid or B-complex vitamins may reduce risk for heart attack and stroke

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    J Am Coll Cardiol (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Omega-6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Polyunsaturated fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Interventions led by healthcare providers are effective in supporting medication adherence following acute coronary syndrome

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Open Heart (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Self-management interventions for women can reduce cardiac pain

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Canadian Journal of Cardiology (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Omega-6 fats for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Omega-3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
  • Evidence Summary

    Blood pressure targets for the treatment of people with hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Endurance exercise improves cholesterol levels and heart health in people with coronary artery disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Psychological interventions for coronary heart disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Home-based versus centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Web-based interventions are effective in the short term for improving risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in older individuals

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Medical Internet Research (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Stem cell therapy for chronic ischaemic heart disease and congestive heart failure.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Statins reduce heart attacks and strokes in people 40 to 75 years of age who are at risk of heart disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Technical difficulties and preferences for in-person care may reduce patients’ acceptance of telehealth

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Annals of Behavioral Medicine (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Nurse-coordinated care has positive outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Heart (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Population-level interventions in government jurisdictions for dietary sodium reduction (Review)

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for coronary heart disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
  • Evidence Summary

    Combined diet and exercise changes improve body measurements and heart health more than changes in diet or exercise alone

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Systematic Reviews (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Dietary advice for reducing cardiovascular risk

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    After drug-coated stents are placed in heart arteries, use of 2 drugs for 1 year or less reduces deaths compared with longer use

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Lancet (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Nurse-led clinics can lower the risk of death and myocardial infarction, and increase medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular diseases

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Homocysteine-lowering interventions for preventing cardiovascular events.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Health education helps increase physical activity among people with heart disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Promoting patient uptake and adherence in cardiac rehabilitation.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Home-based secondary prevention programs may help reduce anxiety in individuals with coronary artery disease.

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation & Prevention (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with coronary heart disease and ischemia, adding angioplasty to drug treatment does not reduce cardiovascular events

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA Intern Med (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Aspirin reduces risk of death, heart disease or cancer, with some increase in the risk of stroke or major bleeding

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Health Technol Assess (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Blood pressure–lowering drugs reduce cardiovascular events most in people with the highest initial risk

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Lancet (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Statins do not increase risk of serious or minor symptomatic side-effects

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Eur J Prev Cardiol (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with stable coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting reduces risk of death and heart attack

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    BMJ (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with, or at risk of, heart disease, fatty acid supplements do not prevent heart attacks or death

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Ann Intern Med (2014)
  • Evidence Summary

    Flu vaccine reduces cardiovascular events

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    JAMA (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with diabetes, group medical visits reduce HbA1 levels more than usual care

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    CMAJ (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with 2 to 4 diabetes risk factors, high-dose atorvastatin reduced cardiovascular risk but increased new-onset diabetes compared with low-dose statins

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    J Am Coll Cardiol (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    NSAIDS, except naproxen, increase major coronary events; all NSAIDs increase heart failure and upper gastrointestinal complications

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Lancet (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with coronary artery disease, intensive blood pressure control is linked to reduced stroke and heart failure but increased risk for too low blood pressure

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Heart (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Multiple lifestyle changes in people with established coronary heart disease reduce the risk for cardiovascular events

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Statins reduce mortality, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke in people with no history of cardiovascular disease

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    In people with chronic kidney disease, antiplatelet drugs reduce heart attacks but increase bleeding

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    For people with atrial fibrillation, new “blood thinners” (factor Xa inhibitors) reduce strokes and clots more than warfarin

    Rating 4 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
  • Evidence Summary

    Patient education in the management of coronary heart disease.

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Homocysteine-lowering interventions for preventing cardiovascular events.

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
  • Evidence Summary

    Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease.

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Psychosocial interventions help people with coronary heart disease to quit smoking

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Telerehabilitation may be a feasible way to encourage exercise and improve physical functioning among those with cardiopulmonary disease

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (2015)
  • Evidence Summary

    Self-management support interventions improve patient quality of life and reduce use of hospital care for patients with long-term respiratory and cardiovascular conditions

    Rating 3 out of 5 stars
    Health Services and Delivery Research (2014)
  • Blog Post

    3 tips for people living with cardiovascular diseases

    Living with a cardiovascular disease? Research points to strategies that can improve physical and mental health.
  • Blog Post

    Diet and cardiovascular disease: What works?

    Living with or at higher risk of cardiovascular disease? Research investigates what popular dietary programs can reduce the risk of death.
  • Blog Post

    Mental health and heart disease: Can psychological therapies help?

    Getting to the heart of it! Psychological therapies can play a role in improving the mental health of people living with heart disease.
  • Blog Post

    3 areas home-based strategies can help

    Research spotlights where home-based strategies can be effective.
  • Blog Post

    Home vs. centre-based cardiac rehabilitation: How do they stack up?

    Home sweet home! Research sheds light on whether home-based cardiac rehabilitation is comparable to centre-based cardiac rehabilitation.
  • Blog Post

    3 evidence-based strategies for people living with coronary heart disease

    Living with coronary heart disease? Learn about three evidence-based strategies to improve your health and quality of life.
  • Blog Post

    Living with coronary heart disease? Quitting smoking is key!

    Helping your heart! Research shows that quitting smoking can have cardiovascular benefits for people with coronary heart disease.
  • Blog Post

    ‘Food for thought’: Can diet protect cardiovascular health in people with type 2 diabetes?

    Living with type 2 diabetes? Consider how dietary changes can help reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Blog Post

    Heart to heart: Caring for your coronary heart disease with exercise

    Living with coronary heart disease? Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation can offer benefits.
  • Blog Post

    Supplementing our diets with supplements for heart health?

    At one time or another, dietary supplements have been a feature of many of our shopping carts and medicine cabinets. But is there substance to the hype when it comes to our heart health? The research suggests no, except in very specific scenarios.
  • Blog Post

    Fact or fiction: Research sheds light on the safety and effectiveness of aspirin as a preventative strategy

    Over the years, the use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular events, dementia, and cancer has emerged as a topic of conversation and debate. Do claims of aspirin’s preventative powers hold true? The current evidence doesn’t show much promise.
  • Blog Post

    The Paleo diet: Does it help your heart?

    The Paleo diet encourages us to eat like our hunter-gatherer ancestors. While “going Paleo” may help with certain risk factors for heart disease, the jury is still out on these benefits and questions around safety remain.
  • Blog Post

    Fact or fiction: Research reveals the truth about common supplements

    There are many claims out there about the health benefits of dietary supplements, but not all claims are backed by evidence. Talk to your health care provider about which supplements may be beneficial to you.
  • Blog Post

    Preventing heart attacks: Is aspirin a safe choice?

    Aspirin is one of the world’s most widely used drugs. Although for some time it was believed that aspirin helped prevent heart attacks, emerging research suggests that in adults without a history of heart disease, aspirin may do more harm than good.
  • Blog Post

    The Portfolio diet: An investment in your heart health?

    When it comes to lowering your cholesterol, eating a “portfolio” of cholesterol-lowing foods may be a good way to invest in your heart health.
  • Blog Post

    Walking: An age-old strategy to boost your health

    As you get older, getting from one place to another can be a challenge. To put you on the road to better health, invest in a sturdy pair of shoes and use the power of your own two feet to get you to where you need to be.
  • Blog Post

    Telehealth: A new fix for an old problem – helping people with chronic conditions take better care of themselves

    Is chronic illness getting you down? Telehealth is a promising way for you to connect with your health care provider and better manage your condition.
  • Blog Post

    Do you have a hidden heart risk in your medicine cabinet?

    Many people will pop a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug casually at the slightest pain. Make sure that you are aware of the risks, and review your medications with your doctor.
  • Blog Post

    5 diet changes supported by research evidence

    When it comes to food, too much of a good (tasting) thing can be bad for you. But too much food advice can be bad for you too, particularly if it’s not reliable. Revamp your diet by making changes that have been shown to help promote healthy aging.
  • Blog Post

    Nurse-led clinics offer support for people with heart disease

    Nurse-led clinics can help patients with cardiovascular diseases manage their medications and make and maintain lifestyles changes, benefiting long-term health and survival compared to usual care.
  • Blog Post

    Living with heart failure: Effective self-care is key to coping well

    Heart failure is serious but people can live with the condition successfully. Giving people information about how to care for themselves is important, but additional support is necessary to promote effective self-care.
  • Blog Post

    News 'flash' for women: the latest findings on hormone therapy for menopause & heart disease

    For years hormone therapy was the “go to” for relieving symptoms of menopause; it was also believed to protect against age-related diseases. Recent evidence sheds a clearer light on how hormone therapy impacts heart health.
  • Blog Post

    Exercise for people with heart disease: Can health education help change behaviours?

    People who have been diagnosed with heart disease may be nervous about the effect exercising has on their hearts. However, exercise is actually important for recovery and ongoing health. Health education programs can help motivate people to adopt heart healthy habits.
  • Blog Post

    Don’t rely on fatty acid supplements for protection against heart disease

    Fatty acids (such as those found in fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils) provide health benefits, including lowering risk of heart disease. Fatty acid supplements may help lower blood pressure, but don’t prevent heart attacks in people already diagnosed with heart issues.
  • Blog Post

    Lifestyle counselling programs help people make healthy choices and beneficial changes

    People at risk of heart disease can improve their health by exercising and changing their diet. Lifestyle counselling programs can help people make these changes.
  • Blog Post

    Fish-oil supplements: another weapon against high blood pressure

    Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish promote heart health. Taking fish-oil supplements is an effective alternative to eating fish.
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