Secondary prevention for patients after a myocardial infarction: summary of NICE guidance.

The article summarizes recommendations from Great Britain's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) which were issued on effective secondary prevention in patients after myocardial infarction. A discussion of what the guidelines say about patient lifestyle, cardiac rehabilitation, and drug treatment in patients who have suffered myocardial infarctions, is presented. Arguments are presented which suggest that the effective implementation of the guidelines will depend on planning between specialists and general practitioners.