Health Matters: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease
Today Public Health England have released their new edition of Public Health matters which sets out the new national ambitions for the detection and management of high risk cardiovascular disease (CVD) conditions.
CVD is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 31% of all global deaths, and causes 1 in 4 deaths in England. A new coalition led by Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England has announced the first ever national ambitions to improve the detection and treatment of Atrial Fibrillation, High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol (A-B-C) – the major causes of CVD.
Over 5 million people are currently living with high blood pressure undiagnosed in England alone. By 2029, PHE and NHS England want:
- To detect and treat millions more people living with high blood pressure who are currently undiagnosed. Currently, just over half (57%) of those with high blood pressure have been detected (6.8 million people) – the ambition is to increase this to four in five (80%)
- To ensure three quarters (75%) of 40 to 74 year olds have received a formal CVD risk check and have had their cholesterol levels recorded. Currently fewer than half (49%) of those eligible for a formal check have received one (7.6 million people)
- To increase from 35% to 45% the proportion of 40 to 74 year olds at high risk of developing CVD who are treated with statins.
The ambitions include recommendations for decision makers and frontline professionals on getting more people checked and best practice for identifying and treating those already at risk. v People between 40 and 74 are also being urged to get their free NHS Health Check, which helps detect the early warning signs of CVD.
Professor Graham MacGregor, Chair of Action on Salt said: “We are delighted that Public Health England have included the important campaign to 'Know Your Numbers' in their CVD ambitions paper. Thousands of heart attacks and strokes can be prevented by more people knowing their blood pressure numbers and taking action such as reducing salt intake, getting to a healthy weight, and doing more exercise."
Click here to read the full Health Matters Report
