Doctors witness 14-fold increase in heart checks

Pharma News: The largest targeted cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening trial of its kind has taken place in Australian general practice, potentially heralding a structured and comprehensive CVD screening program for the nation’s future. This effort comes as a response to the pressing need to combat heart disease, which stands as the foremost cause of mortality in Australia.

Despite concerted efforts to align with CVD prevention guidelines in Australia’s general practice landscape, adherence to these guidelines continues to fall short. Since 2009, national recommendations have underscored the importance of routine cardiovascular screenings for adults aged 45 to 74 without a CVD history. Alarming data, however, reveals that one in three eligible Australians fail to possess up-to-date blood pressure and cholesterol measurements within general practice records.

Championed by the Heart Foundation, the Heart Health Check (HHC) Recall pilot study unfolded across more than 200 GP clinics nationwide. Over 42,000 at-risk Australian patients were invited by their GPs to undergo a Heart Health Check via SMS. This study proved to be a resounding success, resulting in a 14-fold increase in Heart Health Checks compared to control practices. Interestingly, greater prevalence of Heart Health Checks emerged within outer regional and remote areas, larger general practices with over 1000 eligible patients, and less disadvantaged areas.

Natalie Raffoul, Healthcare Programs Manager at the Heart Foundation, hailed the pilot study as the most robust Australian evidence supporting the viability and effectiveness of a targeted CVD screening regimen within general practice.

“Just like Australia has dedicated screening programs for many cancers, we need to consider one for Australia’s leading cause of death, heart disease,” Ms Raffoul said.

New South Wales GP, Dr Raya Grishina-Gunn, extolled the pilot program’s potential in identifying high-risk patients.

“Based on their results, some patients were then referred onto cardiologists for further investigation and procedures. Some patients needed stents to rectify blocked arteries, some patients who were found to be at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years were prescribed medication, while I worked with others to help them make lifestyle changes to lower their risk and keep on top of their heart health,” she said.

The program’s tailored messages directed toward eligible patients garnered an unexpectedly high number of appointment requests at Dr Raya’s clinic.

“Our patients were really excited to be recalled in for a Heart Health Check and our phone lines were very busy with people wanting to book a check after the messages went out,” she added.

Heart disease often remains latent until it progresses to a critical stage, often culminating in a heart attack. Notably, international CVD and chronic disease screening initiatives have proven fruitful in countries such as the UK and New Zealand, bolstering early detection and fostering better risk management.

“The time has come for Australia to reap the health and economic benefits of developing its own CVD screening program,” Ms Raffoul urged.

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