Everyone between 40 and 74 years of age is to be offered checks for vascular disease as part of the new Putting Prevention First programme. The aim is to identify vulnerability to vascular diseases, with the goal of preventing up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes and saving 2,000 lives every year. Who will this programme target, and what will we need to do to put it into action?
Making Sense of HbA1c
There are several blood tests available to measure blood glucose levels. Some require the patient to fast while others do not. Understanding and interpreting the results accurately are essential in optimising the management of our patients with diabetes. This article looks specifically at the HbA1c test and its significance. We define what it is and when we should carry out this test, as well as helping you to understand what the results mean and the targets we are aiming for.
Editorial
It is hard to believe that time goes so quickly. The spring lambs in the fields are now all fat, while they were small and wobbly not two minutes ago. Summer is on its way – fingers crossed for some balmy days! I have the relief of some respite from travelling round the country delivering training sessions during the summer, as everyone is taking a well-earned break. Reflecting while on the train, I recognised again that I always learn more than the students whenever I teach. I would like to share some of these gems of wisdom so you can think about them over this summer period.
Advising people newly diagnosed with diabetes about diet
Do you see patients with diabetes? Do you advise them about their diet? If so, you have an incredibly important role in developing patients’ self-confidence and empowering them to be able to make healthier choices. In this article we look at how to advise patients newly diagnosed with diabetes about diet. A patient-centred approach is vital, with advice offered in a supportive, non-judgmental and non-didactic manner.
Drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)
Aliskiren: the first direct renin inhibitorxfor hypertension
Aliskiren (Rasilez) is the first in a new class of medicines – the direct renin inhibitors – to treat high blood pressure to become available in more than a decade. In this article we review how aliskiren works, what makes it different from other drugs acting on the reninangiotensin system (RAS), its efficacy and tolerability and its likely place in the management of hypertension.
