The prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) has never been more important. Throughout the world death rates from cardiovascular causes are rising and are soon estimated to overtake infectious diseases as the leading global cause of death for the first time in history. All healthcare professionals need to understand what causes this disease and how to prevent it. This new edition of this highly successful book brings together the latest information and research on CHD; in particular, the health professional's role in prevention of the disease. It gives practical advice on correcting these factors through lifestyle and medical management. Updates for the second edition include:

coverage of the new large lipid-lowering drug trials

therapeutic advances in the use of thrombolytic, antiplatelet and anti-hypertensive drugs

advances in treatments including diabetic control, anti-smoking therapy, prescription of exercise and the use of dietary advice.

This book is aimed at the broad range of professionals who come into contact with CHD patients and with those at risk of CHD, including nurses, physiotherapists, dieticiansdietitians, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, general practitioners, doctors who are involved in prevention and rehabilitation and all staff working in coronary care units, lipid and hypertension clinics and general cardiology clinics.

• evidence-based content ensures a firm scientific basis for practice
• the practical nature of the content can be immediately applied in the working environment e.g. smoking cessation strategies, dietary counseling and risk assessment
• the multidisciplinary group of contributors ensures that the content reflects the multidisciplinary nature of CHD prevention work
• case studies and practice exercises enable the application of theory to practice
• summaries of key points facilitate understanding and retention

the implications from clinical governance legislation, the National Service Frameworks and Joint British Recommendations on prevention of CHD in clinical practice

recent research outcomes e.g. the HOT trial

diabetes and its links with CHD

material relating to ethnic minorities

more 'global' statistics where possible to make the text more appealing to international markets

the inequalities arising from socio-economic exclusion