Welcome to new members

Our Network continues to grow! We are delighted to see a growing interest among international heart and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) patient organizations in supporting actively people living with familial hypercholesterolaemia and other hereditary dyslipidaemias, which lead to premature atherosclerosis. “This is an incredibly positive sign, demonstrating a growing awareness of inherited high cholesterol among patient groups on one hand and the interest in forming a more united and proactive international community, to join efforts in patient support, as well as awareness raising, advocacy and policy influencing.”- said Magdalena Daccord, FH Europe’s Chief Executive.

In 2021 FH Europe has gained 4 new members. Back in September, our Network was joined by the Belgian Heart League (Ligue Cardiologique Belge / Belgische Cardiologische Liga) and Federation Bulgarian Patients Forum Bulgaria (Федерация “Български пациентски форум”). This month we welcome new members from Lithuania and Israel.

Healthy Heart (SVEIKA ŠIRDIS), in Lithuania, unites patients with hypertension, high blood cholesterol, arrhythmia, obesity and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as those who care about their heart health and a healthy lifestyle.

Mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Lithuania makes 56 percent. Every third person has certain cardiovascular problems or is already a cardiological patient with cardiac arrhythmias, high blood pressure (hypertension), high levels of cholesterol, overweight or type 2 diabetes, or has experienced a heart attack or stroke.

The core activities of the organization include educational events with invited guest professionals in the field of medicine, sports or healthy lifestyle for consultancy. Members of Health y Heart also engage in other educational activities aimed at prevention or reduction of cardiovascular diseases. The association provides relevant information on CVD related matters on the social media and in person.

“We also seek to influence decisions of authorities relevant to the policy of health system in the country. For example, one of the first goals is to fight for more widely available reimbursable medicines for cardiovascular disease treatment. By joining the FH Europe Network, we expect to exchange / share practices with other likeminded Network members, to be able to design and join pan-European advocacy and awareness campaigns, get access to our partner organizations’ knowledge, trainings, campaigns. Alongside, we would like to find opportunities for joint projects with other similar organisations. Finally, our target is to gain more visibility internationally and FH Europe’s support in the activities, which are in line with our joint mission.” – said Rasa Semiotiene, Chairperson of the Healthy Heart Patients’ Association.

The Israeli Heart Association (אגודת הלב הישראלי) is a non-profit patient organization focused on supporting heart and cardiovascular diseases patients and their caregivers as well as elevating, promoting, and advocating the awareness of CVD in general, early detection of risk factors of heart and cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol and familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) and other inherited lipid conditions, leading to ASCVD.

Gil Meltzer, the Founder and the CEO of the Israeli Heart Association said – “As the leading heart and cardiovascular patient organization in Israel, we at the Israeli Heart Association, place great importance in raising awareness about heart illnesses and CVD major risk factors, such as high cholesterol and inherited lipid conditions (specifically FH, HoFH, Lp(a)), as well as other non-inherited cardiovascular diseases. As well as promoting the importance of educating the public and stakeholders of the importance of access to early diagnosis and suitable treatment of those conditions, so that all those impacted in Israel receive optimal treatment and support, resulting in longer and healthier lives. As such, we have decided to join FH Europe in the understanding that a pan European organization will have the power to lead to changes in the European arena and Israel.”