Cardiology>>>>>Cardiac Rehabilitation
Question 17#

You are working on a general cardiology ward, looking after a 55-year-old man who presented with an NSTEMI. The patient lectures on physiology at the local university and asks you about targets he should aim to achieve given his recent diagnosis. 

Which one of the following would not be appropriate?

A. Smoking cessation
B. At least 20–60 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise three to five times a week
C. A target blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg (or 130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes or renal disease)
D. A total cholesterol of <4 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol <2 mmol/L
E. A 2000 calorie per day diet

Correct Answer is E

Comment:

Following an ACS, patients should be counselled to set realistic individualized goals. However, recommended targets include:

  1. smoking cessation
  2. at least 20–60 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise three to five times a week
  3. target blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg (or 130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes or renal disease)
  4. total cholesterol of <4 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol <2 mmol/L (even if premorbid cholesterol levels are low, patients will still benefit from reducing their cholesterol by 25% (LDL-C by 30%)).

The NSF CHD has set the goal that 1 year after discharge, at least 50% of people should be non-smokers, exercise regularly, and have a BMI <30 kg/m2