The Wessex AHSN lipid management will focus on pathway improvement for hyperlipidaemia management.
Why are we doing
it?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in the UK1.
85% of all CVD deaths are due to myocardial infarctions (heart attack) or
strokes2
As many as 28% of cardiovascular related deaths are attributed to elevated cholesterol. Despite evidence that interventions that lower LDL-C will significantly reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease and other major vascular events, identification, diagnosis, referral and appropriate management with at risk patients remains varied across England.
What’s happening in Wessex?
The team at Wessex have been engaging with local stakeholders to understand current practice and local challenges better.
The project will support the local efforts to optimise the detection and management of at-risk patients and support the use of lipid lowering medicines across Wessex through large scale education events and smaller, more targeted clinics.
We will also be conducting lipid pathway mapping exercises across Wessex services, both in primary and secondary care, to understand if/where there are gaps in services with the longer term aim of ensuring equity of access.
The work will be supported by local and national data, appropriate tools to identify patients, and ensure risk stratification includes added risk to ethnic minority populations and a proactive approach to support this cohort.
References
For more information get in touch.