144 Nurses meet the challenge of helping high CVD risk smokers to quit with the help of varenicline in a preventive cardiology programme

Background The EUROACTION plus study aimed to assess effectiveness of a nurse-led preventive cardiology programme for high CVD risk smokers willing to make a quit smoking attempt compared to usual care in general practice. Methods High CVD risk smokers aged to 18-80 years with vascular disease and 50-80 years at high risk of developing CVD (Heartscore >5% over 10 years, or treated for risk factors or DM) and their partners were individually randomised to either the programme (EA+) or usual care (UC). EA+ patients had optional access to free varenicline and met with the study nurse every 2 weeks to support their quit attempt and to have dietary and physical activity advice and CVD risk factor management. The primary outcome was self reported 7-day point prevalence of abstinence validated with breath carbon monoxide of