RCGP comment on the NICE guidance on lipid modification
28.05.08
“Cardiovascular disease is
the leading cause of death in England and Wales. CVD accounts
for one in three deaths in the UK every year and it is vital that
we target people most at risk. Those aged 40-75 with high
blood pressure, smokers and those with high cholesterol are most at
risk. GPs working with their practice teams are well placed to help
lower these risk factors through consulting with people, discussing
their lifestyle and prescribing lipid lowering drugs where
necessary.
“The emphasis is rightfully
moving towards preventative measures - rather than just patching
people up when they are ill. The RCGP feels it is important
that patients have as much information as possible so that they can
make choices about how they can improve their health and live
longer and healthier lives. GPs are already demonstrating that they
are up for this challenge in their day to day work in their
surgeries. There is evidence that if we can identify those at risk
early enough, we can have a dramatic effect in helping people
change their lifestyles and improve their health through specially
targeted interventions such as smoking cessation and earlier access
to treatment.”
Professor Steve Field,
Chairman of the RCGP
For more information please contact the RCGP press
office 020 7344 3135/3136/3137/3129 or email press@rcgp.org.uk