59 Evaluating clinical data and dietary behaviours in high-risk prevention programme for deprived communities

<h3>Introduction</h3> General practitioners referred patients in disadvantaged communities at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the chronic disease management programme to the Irish Heart Foundation’s behaviour change programme. This six-week, patient-centred health coaching intervention focuses on goal setting and lifestyle changes. The initial phase aimed to assess patients’ baseline risk and health behaviours. <h3>Methodology</h3> At baseline, 114 patients completed a dietary assessment during week one. Clinical data were extracted from GP electronic referrals where available. <h3>Results</h3> Of the participants, 46 (40.4%) were male and 68 (59.6%) female, with a mean age of 51.8 years (SD=12.9). Mean weight (n=83) was 94.0 kg (SD=25.3), and average BMI (n=84) was 34.3kg/m2 (SD=8.3). Twenty-one patients (25%) were classified as Obese Class 3 (BMI &gt;40 kg/m2). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (n=85) were 135.0 mmHg (SD=17.7) and 86.0 mmHg (SD=11.7), respectively. Cholesterol (5.6 mmol/L, SD=0.8) and LDL (3.7 mmol/L, SD=0.9) were borderline high. Forty-five patients (40.9%) had hypertension; 12 (10.9%) had type 2 diabetes. Dietary data showed 64% consumed sugary foods, 51% salty foods, and 29% sugary drinks daily. Additionally, 18.1% ate deep-fried or fast food three times or more per week, and 27.8% never consumed whole grains. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Baseline findings show a high prevalence of obesity, elevated clinical risk markers, and poor dietary habits among patients from disadvantaged communities. These results demonstrate the capacity of general practice to identify and recruit patients at high-risk of CVD and underlines the need for patient-centred lifestyle interventions to reduce CVD risk in these populations.