Target risk factors and encourage patients
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Clinical judgment should drive referrals for diet and exercise behavioral counseling for adults with a low risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published online July 11 in JAMA.

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“The evidence is strong, consistent, and persuasive that CVD risk factor prevention and treatment are associated with lower rates of CVD,” wrote Philip Greenland, MD, and Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, in an accompanying editorial (JAMA 2017 Jul 11;318:130-1). “There are no universally effective solutions to accomplish this, but certain principles apply. Recommended dietary patterns focus on meals high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, seafood, legumes, and nuts; moderate in low-fat and nonfat dairy products; lower in red and processed meat, foods and beverages containing added sugar, and refined grains,” they said. In addition, “physical activity must be encouraged in children and adults and emphasize a regular and consistent commitment to daily exercise habits. Research findings support the need to begin interventions in preschool children, [and should] involve the family, and continue lifelong,” they noted.

Although the guidelines address the challenges faced by clinicians in controlling CVD risk factors, “risk factor control in the clinical setting begins with risk assessment, aims at targeting all risk factors above ideal levels, and moves patients in measured steps toward more ideal cardiovascular health,” the editorialists said.

Dr. Greenland is affiliated with the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago. Dr. Fuster is director of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, N.Y. They had no financial conflicts to disclose.

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“The evidence is strong, consistent, and persuasive that CVD risk factor prevention and treatment are associated with lower rates of CVD,” wrote Philip Greenland, MD, and Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, in an accompanying editorial (JAMA 2017 Jul 11;318:130-1). “There are no universally effective solutions to accomplish this, but certain principles apply. Recommended dietary patterns focus on meals high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, seafood, legumes, and nuts; moderate in low-fat and nonfat dairy products; lower in red and processed meat, foods and beverages containing added sugar, and refined grains,” they said. In addition, “physical activity must be encouraged in children and adults and emphasize a regular and consistent commitment to daily exercise habits. Research findings support the need to begin interventions in preschool children, [and should] involve the family, and continue lifelong,” they noted.

Although the guidelines address the challenges faced by clinicians in controlling CVD risk factors, “risk factor control in the clinical setting begins with risk assessment, aims at targeting all risk factors above ideal levels, and moves patients in measured steps toward more ideal cardiovascular health,” the editorialists said.

Dr. Greenland is affiliated with the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago. Dr. Fuster is director of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, N.Y. They had no financial conflicts to disclose.

Body

 

“The evidence is strong, consistent, and persuasive that CVD risk factor prevention and treatment are associated with lower rates of CVD,” wrote Philip Greenland, MD, and Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, in an accompanying editorial (JAMA 2017 Jul 11;318:130-1). “There are no universally effective solutions to accomplish this, but certain principles apply. Recommended dietary patterns focus on meals high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, seafood, legumes, and nuts; moderate in low-fat and nonfat dairy products; lower in red and processed meat, foods and beverages containing added sugar, and refined grains,” they said. In addition, “physical activity must be encouraged in children and adults and emphasize a regular and consistent commitment to daily exercise habits. Research findings support the need to begin interventions in preschool children, [and should] involve the family, and continue lifelong,” they noted.

Although the guidelines address the challenges faced by clinicians in controlling CVD risk factors, “risk factor control in the clinical setting begins with risk assessment, aims at targeting all risk factors above ideal levels, and moves patients in measured steps toward more ideal cardiovascular health,” the editorialists said.

Dr. Greenland is affiliated with the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago. Dr. Fuster is director of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, N.Y. They had no financial conflicts to disclose.

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Target risk factors and encourage patients
Target risk factors and encourage patients

 

Clinical judgment should drive referrals for diet and exercise behavioral counseling for adults with a low risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published online July 11 in JAMA.

 

Clinical judgment should drive referrals for diet and exercise behavioral counseling for adults with a low risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new recommendation statement from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force published online July 11 in JAMA.

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Key clinical point: Even adults with no CVD risk factors benefit from behavioral counseling about diet and exercise, according to the USPSTF.

Major finding: In 34 trials involving intermediate outcomes, behavior counseling was associated with significant improvements in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, BMI, weight, and waist circumference.

Data source: The data come from a USPSTF review of 88 trials and more 120 interventions.

Disclosures: The researchers had no relevant financial conflicts to disclose.

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