Initial and sustained cardiovascular risk reduction in a pharmacist-led diabetes cardiovascular risk clinic Published by:

Background The atherogenic milieu of hypertension,hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia results in anexcess of cardiovascular deaths in the diabetic population. Objective To determine the efficacy and long-term success of a pharmacist-delivered cardiovascular risk reduction clinic. Methods Patients with diabetes not achieving blood pressure (BP) and lipid targets at a standard diabetes clinic had a mean of four visits to the pharmacist-delivered clinic. Results BP was significantly reduced by attending the clinic (mean reduction in clinic BP 23/10 mmHg). Ambulatory BP monitoring demonstrated a mean reduction of 13/9 mmHg from clinic entry to discharge and this effect was sustained six months post-discharge. Total cholesterol was reduced by 0.4 mmol/L (p=0.002) during clinic attendances and remained unchanged post discharge. Conclusion Patients previously thought to be ‘resistant ’ to treatment can have significant reductions in cardiovascular risk factors when enrolled in a short-lived, intense clinic set-up. This is maintained after discharge