Simpler guidelines for treating heart conditions

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Patients with acute coronary syndrome could benefit from a simplified 'ABCDE' approach to managing their condition.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the term doctors use to describe chest pain at rest or on exertion. It's caused by insufficient blood reaching the heart and needs to be managed with a complex mixture of medication and lifestyle changes.

Doctors at Johns Hopkins University say that fewer than half of those with ACS actually receive optimal management - perhaps because the guidelines have been too complicated. They are proposing a new, simplified approach to appeal to caregivers and doctors. They call it 'ABCDE' and it encompasses all the aspects of ACS care and management.

A involves various medications - anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockage - the latter two for controlling blood pressure. B is for beta blockade and any other strategy for blood pressure. C is for cigarette smoking (quitting) and cholesterol control. D is for diabetes management and diet. And finally E stands for exercise. It's still a lot to remember (especially for the patient!) but maybe the streamlined format will make it a little easier.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 19th January 2005