HEARTS: Technical package for cardiovascular disease management in primary health care: Healthy-lifestyle counselling

Overview

The HEARTS technical package provides a strategic approach to improving cardiovascular health in countries. It comprises six modules and an implementation guide. This package supports ministries of health to strengthen CVD management in primary health care settings. The practical, step-by-step modules are supported by an overarching technical document that provides a rationale and framework for this integrated approach to the management of NCDs.

More people die from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than from any other cause. Over three quarters of heart disease and stroke related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The HEARTS modules are intended for use by policy-makers and programme managers at different levels within ministries of health, and within resource limited settings, who can influence CVD primary care delivery.

The HEARTS technical package is part of the broader Global Hearts Initiative which includes two other packages that address the prevention of CVDs.

The HEARTS modules were developed under the auspices of the Global Hearts Initiative, led by WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This module includes information on the four behavioural risk factors for CVD. Brief interventions are described as an approach to providing counselling on risk factors and encouraging people to have healthy lifestyles.

Modules

Healthy-lifestyle counselling

Evidence-based treatment protocols

Access to essential medicines and technology

Risk-based CVD management 

Team-based care

Systems for monitoring

Implementation guide

Tool for the development of a consensus protocol for treatment of hypertension

 

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WHO Team
Management-Screening,  Diagnosis and Treatment (MND)
Editors
WHO
Number of pages
30
Reference numbers
WHO Reference Number: WHO/NMH/NVI/18.1
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