Secondary prevention of myocardial infarction : a survey in primary care

OBJECTIVE: To collect information on the major risk factors and secondary prevention among patients with myocardial infarction in Italy. METHODS: Data were obtained from the database of the Italian College of General Practitioners; 3588 patients (mean age 68.7 (plus or minus) 11.3 years; 2698 men, 888 women; two unrecorded gender), with an average time from event of 6 (plus or minus) 5.7 years, were identified. RESULTS: Among the major risk factors, data entry ranged from 50.3% for physical activity to 74.9% for blood pressure. Inadequate blood pressure control was present in 49.2% and elevated plasma cholesterol levels (&rt; 5.2 mmol/l) in 57.3%; among the latter group, 65% were on lipid-lowering therapy. Only 47.2% of the treated patients achieved a total cholesterol level of < 5.2 mmol/l. Antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, (beta)-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were prescribed to 43%, 10.3%, and 57.9% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The preventive attitude of Italian general practitioners is similar to that reported in other European countries with two noticeable exceptions: under-prescription of (beta)-blockers and of antiplatelet drugs. Clearly, secondary prevention requires major improvement.