New Plans To Improve Prevention Of Vascular Disease, UK

Main Category: Preventive Medicine
Also Included In: Vascular
Article Date: 02 Jan 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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New plans to improve the prevention and management of patients with vascular disease were announced today by Health Minister Edwina Hart.

Mrs Hart said that a group of clinicians will review current provision of vascular risk management and assessment in Wales and recommend a future model to reduce the number of people developing the disease.

A future programme could involve risk assessments for those in danger of the disease, such as measurement of high blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels - all significant factors in the condition.

The move follows the recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee that the four UK health departments introduce vascular risk management programmes.

Every year in the UK around 150,000 people die from the disease, with many of the population in Wales particularly at risk because of lifestyle factors such as high smoking rates and low levels of exercise. In 2006, 11,300 people in Wales died from the disease.

The group will be chaired by Professor Julian Halcox, professor of clinical cardiology at the University Hospital of Wales.

Edwina Hart said:

"Vascular disease is one of the biggest killers in Wales.

"The group will engage with stakeholder to recommend a model to improve the preventative measures around the disease.

"I am delighted that Professor Halcox, as one of the foremost experts in the condition in Wales, has agreed to chair the project group."

The group is due to report by June 2009.

Notes

1. About vascular disease:

Vascular disease is mainly caused by a hardening of the arteries due to a thickening of the artery lining from fatty deposits. Narrow, hardened arteries make it more difficult for blood to flow through and reach body tissues.

It most commonly affects the arteries of the heart (potentially causing heart attack), brain (potentially causing stroke) and legs (potentially causing gangrene or ulceration of the lower leg).

Thickening of the arteries can start at the age of 20 and increases with advancing age. Risk factors include smoking, family history of the disease, being overweight, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

2. The UK Screening Committee and vascular disease risk management in other UK countries:

The UK National Screening Committee, which advises Ministers and the NHS in all four UK countries about all aspects of screening policy, has recommended to the four UK health departments the introduction of a vascular risk management programme.

In England, people aged between 40-74 years old are offered screening to detect evidence of vascular disease. In Scotland, a population-wide vascular risk assessment management programme is being developed.

Welsh Assembly Government