Lesson 1Adapting communication and plans for low-literacy, low-income patients: teach-back, pictorial aids, low-cost medication choicesThis section explains adapting counselling and care plans for low-literacy, low-income patients, employing teach-back methods, pictorial aids, simplified regimens, affordable medication options, and culturally appropriate communication techniques.
Assessing literacy and financial barriersUsing teach-back to confirm understandingPictorial and colour-coded medication aidsChoosing effective low-cost drug optionsSimplifying dosing schedules and refillsCulturally sensitive communication skillsLesson 2Statin therapy and lipid targets: risk-stratified thresholds for starting statins and monitoringThis section discusses statin indications based on risk thresholds, intensity choices, LDL-C targets, baseline and follow-up tests, handling statin-related symptoms, and adherence strategies for high-risk cardiovascular patients.
Estimating ASCVD risk in primary preventionThresholds to start moderate vs high-intensity statinsLDL-C targets for primary and secondary preventionBaseline labs and follow-up lipid monitoringManaging statin intolerance and myalgiasImproving adherence and shared decisionsLesson 3Lifestyle interventions: evidence-based dietary patterns (DASH, Mediterranean), portion and sodium targets, practical low-cost adaptationsThis section explores lifestyle interventions for cardiovascular prevention, emphasising DASH and Mediterranean diets, sodium and portion targets, label reading, and affordable adaptations for diverse cultural food practices.
Core principles of DASH and Mediterranean dietsSetting sodium and portion size targetsLow-cost substitutions for staple foodsCounselling on cooking methods and oilsReading food labels and hidden sodiumAdapting plans to cultural food patternsLesson 4Physical activity prescriptions: intensity, duration, step-counts, home-based exercises for low-resource patientsThis section guides prescribing safe, effective physical activity, including aerobic and resistance training, step-count goals, and straightforward home routines for low-resource patients with different fitness and comorbidity levels.
Assessing baseline activity and functional capacityPrescribing aerobic intensity using METs and RPESetting weekly duration and frequency targetsStep-count goals and use of simple trackersDesigning home-based programmes for low resourcesSafety screening and red-flag symptomsLesson 5Glycemic management for cardiovascular prevention: thresholds for metformin and glycemic targets relevant to CVD riskThis section reviews glycaemic management for reducing cardiovascular risk, concentrating on metformin thresholds, personalised A1c targets, agents with demonstrated CVD benefits, and alignment with lifestyle and blood pressure management.
Screening for diabetes and prediabetesWhen to start metformin for CVD preventionIndividualising A1c targets by comorbidityAgents with proven cardiovascular benefitAvoiding hypoglycaemia in high-risk patientsIntegrating glucose, BP, and lipid controlLesson 6Use of aspirin and antiplatelet therapy: primary vs secondary prevention guidance and contraindicationsThis section clarifies indications for aspirin and other antiplatelets in primary versus secondary prevention, including dosing, duration, bleeding risk evaluation, contraindications, and integration with anticoagulant therapies.
Evidence for aspirin in primary preventionSecondary prevention indications after MI or strokeDual antiplatelet therapy indications and durationAssessing bleeding risk and contraindicationsManaging therapy with anticoagulant overlapPatient counselling on adherence and safetyLesson 7Alcohol, sleep, and stress management: brief interventions and local resourcesThis section tackles alcohol use, sleep quality, and stress as cardiovascular risk factors, providing brief screening tools, counselling methods, behaviour change strategies, and referrals to local or digital support services.
Screening for unhealthy alcohol useBrief alcohol interventions and limitsAssessing sleep duration and sleep disordersSleep hygiene strategies for CVD patientsStress assessment and basic coping skillsLinking patients to local and online resourcesLesson 8Tobacco cessation strategies: brief advice, pharmacotherapy indications (NRT, bupropion, varenicline), counselling workflowsThis section outlines structured tobacco cessation support, including brief advice models, pharmacotherapy selection and dosing, counselling processes, relapse prevention, and adjustments for low-literacy or low-resource cardiovascular patients.
Ask–Advise–Assist brief intervention stepsIndications and dosing for NRT productsUsing bupropion and varenicline safelyBehavioural counselling and quit planningManaging withdrawal and relapse preventionAdapting support for low-resource patientsLesson 9Secondary prevention after MI/stroke: dual antiplatelet duration, high-intensity statin, BP and glycaemic targets, cardiac rehab referralThis section emphasises comprehensive secondary prevention post-MI or stroke, covering dual antiplatelet duration, high-intensity statins, blood pressure and glycaemic targets, cardiac rehabilitation referrals, and long-term adherence plans.
Core medication bundle after MI or strokeDual antiplatelet therapy duration choicesHigh-intensity statin use and LDL-C goalsBlood pressure and glycaemic targets post-eventCardiac rehab referral and programme elementsCoordinating follow-up and adherence supportLesson 10Pharmacologic prevention: antihypertensive initiation and titration protocols, first-line drug classes and combinationsThis section details pharmacological hypertension prevention, including initiation timing, first-line drug classes, combination approaches, titration protocols, side effect monitoring, and adaptations for low-resource environments.
Confirming diagnosis and baseline BP profileThresholds to start antihypertensive therapyChoosing first-line drug classes and dosesStepwise titration and combination therapyMonitoring labs and adverse effectsSimplifying regimens for low-cost access
