String of PEARLS: Heart health

PEARLS are succinct summaries of Cochrane Systematic Reviews for primary care practitioners—developed by Prof. Brian McAvoy for the Cochrane Primary Care Field (www.cochraneprimarycare.org), New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Cochrane Centre at the Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland (www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa), funded by the Ministry of Health (www.health.govt.nz), and published in NZ Doctor (www.nzdoctor.co.nz.).

• Effects of fixed-dose combination therapy for prevention of cardiovascular disease uncertain

• Higher doses of atorvastatin reduce cholesterol more than lower doses

• Incentives effective for smoking cessation

• Psychosocial interventions effective for smoking cessation in patients with coronary heart disease

• Limited evidence for benefits of dietary fibre in cardiovascular disease

• No role for selenium supplements in prevention of cardiovascular disease

• Yoga beneficial for cardiovascular disease

Disclaimer: PEARLS are for educational use only and are not meant to guide clinical activity, nor are they a clinical guideline.