Topic: Smoking - Primary Care

New research presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress in September has shown for the first time that e-cigarettes with nicotine cause a stiffening of the arteries which is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in later life.

Electronic cigarettes, e-cigs, vaporisers and the various other names given to these new devices have become a phenomenon. Their popularity over the past few years has grown significantly, with an expansion of highstreet e-cigarette shops, marketing via the internet and social media, as well as traditional approaches using print advertisement and mass media campaigns. Despite their increasing usage largely by smokers and ex-smokers, e-cigarettes have divided opinion as to whether they can offer real benefits or they are potentially damaging to public health. While a recent Public Health England review concluded that e-cigarettes could be prescribed to help smokers to quit, the Welsh government plans to restrict their use in the same way as for conventional cigarettes. This paper will present some of the main issues that surround e-cigarettes and highlight the potential consequences good and bad that this new technology may bring.

The leading UK cardiovascular conference for the whole primary care team. Expert presenters and a down-to-earth approach help health professionals translate the latest evidence into daily practice and optimise patient care. Participants also receive 9 hours CPD credits. Book now to attend this inspirational event and take advantage of our Early Bird discount.

Stories in this Evidence in Practice include: Health survey for England, 2016: The good and the bad news Healthy lifestyle changes have a long-term benefit for type 2 diabetes prevention Weight loss diets reduce the risk of premature death for people with obesity Very low calorie diet can achieve a remission of Type 2 Diabetes Dash diet plus sodium reduction lowers systolic blood pressure Long-term follow-up underscores benefits of lowering LDL-C in CVD primary prevention Blood pressure self-monitoring is more effective with professional support AF and other chronic conditions = higher risk of death Clinical trials underestimate the real-world impact of Atherosclerotic CVD The burden of heart failure continues to rise in the UK

Offering smokers a taster session at an NHS Stop Smoking Service and explaining their personal risk of developing smoking-related diseases doubles their likelihood of attending a stop smoking course.

A new study questions the feasibility and value of primary care screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The PIPETTE study is the first UK study of PAD prevalence for nearly a decade.