This article considers a possible scenario in primary care in which a patient presents with chest pain. Test yourself to see what you would do. Then check this against our recommendations, reflecting on your current procedures and policies within your practice.
Chest pain in Primary Care – would you and your team know what to do?
Information on withdrawal of four insulins by Lilly
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin and Treatment Notes go online
Stress and heart disease: check out the link
New online service for RCN members – The Oxford Dictionary of Nursing and A-Z of Medicin
Making sense of heart failure and its treatment
Heart failure is a high priority in primary care, with the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, the NICE Heart Failure Guidance, and the new General Medical Services contract quality indicators all setting clear standards for improving the management of patients with this increasingly common condition. This four-page pull-out supplement provides you with a need-to-know, need-to-keep guide.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that not only causes distress to a couple, but also indicates the likely presence in the man of cardiovascular and other diseases. By diagnosing and treating ED, nurses can therefore help to restore the coup
Improving the management of diabetic foot conditions
Foot complications are very common in patients with diabetes. At least one in six diabetics develop foot ulcers at some point in their lives. This article reviews why foot complications occur in diabetes, how you can detect foot problems early, and treatment and prevention strategies. The National Service Framework for Diabetes suggests that targeted foot care for people at high risk could save hundreds of amputations a year. By detecting complications earlier, we can make a real difference to patients’ lives, reducing morbidity, improving quality of life and even saving limbs.
Back to Basics: A BJPCN Guide – Erectile dysfunction
Back to Basics: A BJPCN guide – Making sense of ECGs
The Primary Care Training Centre
The Primary Care Training Centre (PCTC) was set up eight years ago with the aim of providing practical, evidence-based training for primary care health professionals. It was started in response to requests from primary care professionals who were concerned that there was no training specifically for them, particularly on the important subjects of diabetes and coronary heart disease prevention. Existing courses sometimes failed to fully understand the primary care situation.
Running a successful cardiovascular clinic in general practice
The very good audit data for this practice has led to its winning awards. So how does the practice do it? This ‘day in the life of’ photo diary gives a step-by-step guide to the key elements of running a successful cardiovascular clinic in general practice.
Expanding the role of health care assistants in primary care
As practice nurses take on a growing role in the organisation and implementation of chronic disease management, they need more help in many of the routine – but important – tasks this involves. Health care assistants (HCAs) are providing growing support in this capacity. This article explores what HCAs are taking on and issues regarding their training and regulation.
Disease Focus on… Angina
Angina is a common problem in primary care, affecting around one in every six patients aged 65 years and over. It ispredominantly chest pain due to transient myocardial ischaemia caused by coronary artery disease. Episodes of angina are typically caused by exertion or emotion, and are relieved by rest. Treatment with drugs and/or surgery that improves blood flow to the heart and lifestyle changes can significantly improve patients’ quality of life and survival.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of those terms that we are hearing more and more in general practice. It is an important risk factor for stroke – particularly in older people – making it a good candidate for primary care teams to target in efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease.