Nurse led cardiovascular (CVD) risk intervention and screening clinic (NL-RISC)

INTERVENTION: Those in the NL‐RISC group will receive an appointment to attend an initial consultation within a month of discharge where the nurse will review the patient’s cardiovascualr risk factors and medications in relation to the national guidelines. This appointment will be for one hour. The nurse will utilise psychotherapeutic skills, including motivational interviewing techniques to engage the participant in the rehabilitative process facilitating behaviour change and guiding decisions regarding risk factor modification. This will be followed by a 10‐minute telephone follow‐up at 2 months following discharge. More frequent follow up will occur should it be identified that further follow up is required. At 6 months both the control and NL‐RISC groups will attend an outpatient setting to have their risk factor profile measured and compared to baseline. Lipids will be measured on a fasting blood sample, resting blood pressure (BP) using an automatic BP monitor and smoking status by self‐report. Physical activity will be assessed using the 7‐day International Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire, and depressive mood using the Cardiac Depression Scale. CONDITION: Cardiovascular disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: Fasting serum Total Cholestrol and serum Triglicerides will be collected. High Density Lipid Cholestrol and Low Density Lipid Cholestrol will also be requested, as markers of the anti‐ and pro‐atherogenic lipid particles. The reason for this is that some people with mildly increased Total Cholestrol may actually be at lower risk because their High Density Lipid Cholestrol is high and their Low Density Lipid Cholestrol is relatively low. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Any unplanned admissions to an in patient unit within 12 months, of first clinic visit Improvement in baseline cardiovascular risk profile through comparison of the following measures: ; Manual Blood Pressure via sphygmomanometer ; Weigh via electronic scales ; Waist Circumference by tape measure starting at the top of the hip bone, and then bring it all the way around ‐‐ level with the umbilicus. ; Mood Status via the cardiac depression Scale and the health related quality of life tool ; Exercise via the 7 day international physical activity recall questionnaire ; Smoking, alcohol and diet via self report ; Diabetes via Glycosylated hemoglobin Hb1AC serum levels Mortality INCLUSION CRITERIA: cardiovascular disease