Further Product Information

Written by Dr Alan Begg MB ChB FRCGP DA D.Ch. DRCOG FPCERT, General Practitioner, Montrose, Scotland

CONTENTS

Summary
Vascular disease burden in general practice
Atherothrombosis: one disease process, three disease categories
Establishing a diagnosis
Improving patient management
Key points

SUMMARY

The burden of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to exert a significant impact on the day-to-day workload of GPs. Atherothrombosis is the underlying pathophysiological state that ultimately leads to the clinical manifestations of CVD. The management of patients with CVD should focus on reducing the risk of index events and prevention of recurrent events via a combination of lifestyle interventions and drug treatment, in particular antiplatelet therapy. As with all chronic conditions, effective management requires a correct initial diagnosis to be established. Identifying appropriate patients who may be at risk, and thus in need of intervention, together with their management after discharge from secondary care is an essential part of overall management, and critical roles exist for all members of the primary care team, utilising their individual skills in a coordinated manner.

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