To mark Know Your Numbers Week, HIEM is highlighting its CVD Prevention programme – which is new for 2024.

The programme builds on previous work over the last three years and focusses on three key prevention workstreams – Lipid Optimisation, Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and Blood Pressure Optimisation.

Our aim is to support our local systems to detect, appropriately manage and optimise treatment for cholesterol, hypertension and FH, and so reduce broader cardiovascular risk, prevent heart attacks, strokes, and dementia.

The NHS Long Term Plan states that the biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years is in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD affects around seven million people in the UK and is a significant cause of disability and death. CVD is responsible for one in four premature deaths in the UK, with those in the most deprived areas almost twice as likely to die from CVD.

Over the next 10 years, the NHS will help prevent up to 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases.

Practices and PCNs are being encouraged to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for support to help them identify patients most at risk, optimise treatment and free up clinical capacity.

Free resources relating to these topics are also available on our webpages for healthcare professionals and for patients.