We are working closely with PCNs across all ICSs to support the rollout of the medication , inclisiran . The introduction of the new injectable therapy has shone a light on lipid-management pathways and its use to help lower the level of harmful cholesterol in patients at risk of having a heart attack or stroke . Inclisiran is one part of the lipid-management pathway . It will not be applicable to all patients with high cholesterol and can only be prescribed if someone has had a CVD event . However , in line with NICE guidance , for those patients where other treatments are not working effectively , inclisiran provides a new option and can reduce cholesterol levels by 50 %.
In West Yorkshire , we are expanding on our work with the
West Yorkshire and Harrogate Healthy Hearts initiative to ensure that lipid management is embedded into the work of PCNs , as well as aligning the national and local priorities around blood pressure monitoring .
We have actively engaged with GP practices , providing extra support to help identify patients who are at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke as a result of not taking any medication to control their high blood pressure or cholesterol , or their medication is not being reviewed to ensure it ’ s working effectively .
As a result of this work , almost 22,000 additional patients have been added to the hypertension register to date , where they ’ ve received a high blood pressure diagnosis and will thereby receive appropriate support . Meanwhile , 17,000 patients are now receiving treatment to reduce their risk of a future heart attack or stroke .
High cholesterol is another risk factor that can cause heart attacks or strokes if untreated . To date , our Healthy Hearts project , which helps to identify unmedicated patients who might have high cholesterol , has seen 1,800 additional patients offered a statin . An additional 11,500 patients have been reviewed by their GP to ensure their current medication is effective .
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Improving people ’ s health and saving lives is what Healthy Hearts is all about . We are delighted to see the positive difference this is making . It ’ s heartening to know what can be achieved when we work together to scale up good practice to benefit all people living across West Yorkshire . This is what our West Yorkshire Partnership is all about .”
Dr Steve Ollerton , Healthy Hearts Clinical Sponsor ,
Clinical Lead for Primary and Community care West Yorkshire and GP Board member for The Mast locality - NHS Kirklees CCG
64 Transforming Lives Through Innovation