Detailed Programme Information 

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). 

Heart attacks, strokes and other forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) cause a quarter of all deaths in the UK  (Facts and figures – Information for journalists – BHF). CVD is also a leading cause of morbidity and costs the NHS an estimated £9 billion a year and economy around £19 billion annually. And, as a major driver of health inequalities, it accounts for a quarter of the life expectancy gap between deprived and affluent communities (Health Matters: Preventing cardiovascular disease – UK Health Security Agency (blog.gov.uk)). 

Hypertension and high cholesterol are leading risk factors for CVD and are highly modifiable, with treatment substantially lowering the risk of CVD. 

Despite this, both are underdiagnosed and undertreated. For example, around 30% of people with hypertension are unaware they have it and, of those who have been diagnosed with hypertension, around a third are not treated to target (Facts and figures – Information for journalists – BHF). 

We are delivering the following programmes to support the health and care system with the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease – focusing on hypertension and cholesterol. 

These programmes are:

• Lipid Management and Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) – Improving the identification and treatment offered for those with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol that runs in families). 
• Blood Pressure Optimisation – aiming to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and vascular dementia in patients with hypertension. 

Get in touch  

For more information on our Cardiovascular Disease Programme, please contact: 

• Blood Pressure Optimisation: Marie-Joëlle West, Programme Manager. 
• Lipid Pathways and FH: Harriet Matthews, Programme Manager.