Implementing change to tackle ASCVD

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) accounts for 85% of all cardiovascular-related deaths. A major risk factor for ASCVD is low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) also known as ‘bad cholesterol’. It is estimated that 2 billion people globally are at risk of developing health issues as a result of unhealthy cholesterol levels. Today, it is said that 300 million people are affected by ASCVD.

On 1 February, FH Europe participated in a LinkedIn live event entitled The Global Heart Hub Global Cholesterol Action Plan: Building successful multi-stakeholder alliances.

Our community was represented by Chief Executive Magdalena Daccord and Scientific and Policy Advisor Prof. Urh Groselj from Slovenia who joined Dr Shaun Goodman from Canada and Fernanda de Carvalho from Brazil to discuss the Global Cholesterol Action Plan launched by the Global Heart Hub in 2022. The plan is another important initiative along with the Prague Declaration focusing on early screening and detection of inherited high cholesterol (FH) and the World Heart Federation Roadmap for Cholesterol aimed at activating change in the ways unhealthy cholesterol levels are prevented and managed to reduce cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and promote cardiovascular health (CVH).

You can now watch the recoding of the discussion moderated by Neil Johnson, Chief Executive of the Global Heart Hub. During the meeting Dr Goodman explained ASCVD in very accessible manner, shared startling statistics and offered more information about atherogenic lipoproteins like elevated Lp(a). Prof. Groselj covered familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in detail and explained the Slovenian paediatric FH screening model. Magdalena Daccord outlined how recent FH advocacy efforts built effective collaborations which led to significant advancements in Europe. Fernanda de Carvalho provided additional examples of fruitful collaboration between the patient community and policy makers from Brazil. The presentations were complemented by real-life patient stories from around the world.

Make sure you watch this interesting and important event.