This series of learning modules provides information on various aspects related to cardiovascular disease management and patient counselling.

Link: http://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X%2811%2900443-0/abstract

The Refractory Angina Guideline (RFA) is for the management of angina resistant to conventional treatment. The journal gives a brief explanation of production and persistence of this cardiac pain. It (1) describes the symptoms of angina as well as (2) gives information on establishing a diagnosis of RFA. Various treatments and therapies are listed, including non-invasive, invasive and pharmacological recommendations to best treat RFA. This guideline also provides a final summary of recommendations for the management of RFA.

The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for management of atrial fibrillation in a variety of areas. These guidelines are useful in informing clinical practice, but often lack detail related to practical application, particularly when the evidence base is limited or conflicting. These guidelines consider: (1) What duration of AF is clinically significant? (2) How are the risk factors in the CCS Algorithm for selecting anticoagulation therapy derived and defined? (3) How is valvular heart disease defined and how do different forms of valve disease affect the choice of anticoagulant therapy for AF patients? (4) How should we quantify renal dysfunction and how does it affect therapeutic choices?

Link: https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(21)00313-5/fulltext

This guideline is for management of patients with ST- Elevation myocardial infarction. It describes how to maximize care of patients with onset myocardial infraction. Highlighted are the processes of treating STEMI depending on facility available to the patient. It describes long-term and short-term therapies post initial STEMI treatment and the length of administration. The guideline gives direction to what should be done during emergencies or if complications occur, depending on initial treatment of STEMI and recommendations to prevent readmission of patient.

Link: https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(18)31321-7/fulltext

This guideline is for the management of stable ischemic heart disease. The suggestions and recommendations are intended to be used by primary care and specialist physicians with an emphasis on diagnostic tests, expedited implementation of long- and short-term medical therapy, timely consideration of revascularization, and practical follow-up measures.

Link: http://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(14)00356-0/abstract

The Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice guideline discusses: (1) diagnosis of the patient, (2) treatment strategies, (3) complications, and (4) associated diseases. The treatment of heart disease in patients with diabetes is highlighted within this document. It describes the high risk of CVD that diabetes patients face and walks through the best strategies to protect against heart diseases. This guideline chapters also goes over testing for heart diseases in patients with diabetes as well as the best therapies and treatments recommended for treating diabetes patients, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. These documents can be found in chapters 22-26 of the Canadian diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Link: https://guidelines.diabetes.ca/Browse.aspx

This guideline is for the management and treatment of patients with dyslipidemia and includes the practical testing practices like the use of biomarkers, stress testing, carotid ultrasound imaging etc. The guideline gives directions for the: (1) processes of risk assessment, (2) how to assign levels of risk and completing, and (3) secondary testing in risk stratification. The guideline also explains types of (4) non-invasive testing and (5) health behaviours. (6) Statin intolerance and adverse effects are addressed and (7) non-statin pharmacotherapy use for patients with statin intolerance. Finally the CCS guideline (8) walks through practical approaches to using this guideline.

Link: https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(21)00165-3/fulltext

A compendium of the over 300 recommendations made relating to the management of patients with heart failure. Recommendations are made for prevention, chronic heart failure, acute heart failure, and right heart failure. Practitioners can search the compendium to find the most current recommendations.

Link: https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(15)00475-4/fulltext

The purpose of this guideline is to aid in the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of PAD of the aorta and lower extremities, addressing its prevalence, impact on quality of life, cardiovascular ischemic risk, and risk of critical limb ischemia. It further aids in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of renal and visceral arterial diseases, and how to detect and treat abdominal and branch artery aneurysms. Where applicable the guideline also discusses the epidemiology, prevalence, prognosis and natural history, clinical presentation, and pathophysiology as they relate to lower extremity PAD, renal arterial disease, mesenteric arterial disease, and aneurysms of the abdominal aorta.

Link: https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(22)00156-8/fulltext

This article outlines the importance of smoking cessation to cardiovascular health. It highlights specific actions that healthcare professionals can take to support their patients in smoking cessation, and how to support smoking cessation in their community.

Link: http://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(10)00076-0/fulltext

This guideline aims to provide succinct perspectives on key issues in the management of thoracic aortic disease (TAD). This article is a practical guide for clinicians managing adult patients with TAD. Topics covered include size thresholds for surgical intervention, emerging therapies, imaging modalities, medical and lifestyle management, and genetics of TAD. This document aims to provide recommendations for most patients and situations. However, the ultimate judgment regarding the management of any individual patients should be made by their health care team.

Link: http://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(14)00112-3/abstract

This guideline provides healthcare professionals with information on diagnosis, assessment, and therapy for people with hypertension. Recommendations include:

1. All Canadian adults should have their blood pressure assessed at all appropriate clinical visits.
2. Out-of-office measurement (24-hour ambulatory blood pressure or home blood pressure) should be performed to confirm the initial diagnosis in any individual suspected of having hypertension.
3. Optimum management of hypertension requires assessment of overall cardiovascular risk.
4. Treat to individual target blood pressure range.
5. Health behavior modification is effective in preventing hypertension, treating hypertension, and reducing cardiovascular risk.
6. Combinations of both health behavior changes and drugs are generally necessary to achieve target blood pressure.
7. Focus on adherence to healthy behaviors.

Link: https://guidelines.hypertension.ca/