This study is evaluating a novel preventative approach for reducing the risk that severe emotional and physical stress, eating a heavy meal, and respiratory infection might trigger a heart attack in people at increased risk.

A strategy tested was for study subjects to first identify the potential triggers of heart attack, and then take a combination of low dose propranolol and/ or aspirin at the time of the stress.

The research team previously reported that it was feasible in healthy subjects. The present study showed that it was also feasible for individuals with prior cardiovascular disease or risk factors to adopt this strategy.

Twenty six subjects were enrolled in the study, and 20 were able to successfully complete the protocol. Based on diary entries, the preventive therapy was appropriately taken on 80% of occasions. Eighty five percent of those who completed the protocol considered that they could continue with this preventive approach into the future.

Findings were presented at the 2011 Cardiac Society Conference of Australia and New Zealand, and are encouraging for follow-up study.

Project title: Triggered acute risk prevention (TARP 2): a study of feasibility in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors

Investigators: Professor Geoffrey Tofler, Dr Tom Buckley, Ms Monica Spinaze, Dr Elizabeth Shaw.

Funded since: 2008