Workshop 'ASCVD & Cholesterol management in Vietnam'
On December 15, Vietnam Heart Association and Novartis Vietnam co-organized the workshop ASCVD & Cholesterol management in Vietnam. With the objective to review ASCVD burden in Vietnam and policies in managing cardiovascular diseases, the workshop created a platform for experts to discuss and share research results based on which recommendations and solutions to better manage ASCVD & Cholesterol in Vietnam are offered.
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| On December 15, the workshop "ASCVD & Cholesterol management in Vietnam" was co-organized by Vietnam Heart Association and Novartis Vietnam. (Photo: The Association and the Ministry of Health) |
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a dangerous disease and the leading cause of death globally. In 2012, the burden of CVDs accounted for the largest proportion of the total disease burden in Vietnam, about 13.4% and accounted for the largest proportion of all deaths (33%).
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is defined as coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, or atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. According to statistics in the EvoHealth White Paper on ASCVD in Vietnam, in 2019, there were 2.4 million people with cardiovascular diseases, of which 65% were cardiovascular diseases due to atherosclerosis. It is also the leading cause of death with a very high rate of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke. Atherosclerosis affects most of the working population in Vietnam with 49% of patients with ASCVD in the working age group from 15-64 - young working age and is the key to Vietnam's economy. And dyslipidemia (fatty blood) is one of the leading risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Prof.Dr. Huynh Van Minh, President of Vietnam Heart Association shared at the opening speech: “Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases is a comprehensive intervention process from educating people and patients to improve knowledge about the disease as well as how to prevent it, helping patients detect, diagnose early and set goals for individualized treatment for each patient with varying degrees of risk and with appropriate and adequate therapeutic interventions according to treatment guidelines.
This process requires the involvement of health authorities in the development of clear goals, programs and action guidelines, and the constant updating of the latest guidelines on cardiovascular disease management as well as ongoing clinical research results and innovative approaches. In particular, the treatment of dyslipidemia plays an important role in the treatment of the etiology of many cardiovascular diseases, so we believe that focusing on the management of dyslipidemia will ensure that the health care process of cardiovascular patients is always safe and effective".
As a result, the growing burden of ASCVD not only on the elderly population but also on the working age population causes the working population and potential workforce to decrease in productivity, which in turn will increase the healthcare burden for the elderly, and severely affect the economy productivity without urgent strategies and solutions to address these challenges and unmet needs of patients in Vietnam.
ASCVD is a dangerous disease that can cause serious health and economic consequences if not detected and treated promptly. To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in general and ASCVD in particular to public health, it is necessary to take strong actions first from disease prevention, health education; screening for early detection so that patients can receive timely treatment, actively control risk factors and stabilize atheroma, helping to reduce mortality and improve patients’ quality of life.
Sharing about the role of dyslipidemia in the management of cardiovascular disease in general and ASCVD in particular, Prof. Dr. Tran Huu Dang, President of Vietnam Endocrinology and Diabetes Association, said: “The current prevalence of diabetes in Vietnam is 7.3%. The main cause of death in diabetes is cardiovascular damage. More than 50% of patients with diabetes die from cardiovascular events. More than 90% of patients with diabetes have dyslipidemia.
At the same time, dyslipidemia is one of the main causes of dangerous cardiovascular disease so early detection, management counseling and treatment of dyslipidemia is extremely important to improve health, prevent cardiovascular disease in general and ASCVD.
The Association and the Ministry of Health have guidelines for the treatment of dyslipidemia for diabetics aged 40 years and older, but the implementation has not been fully executed. Setting the goal of detecting, screening, and controlling dyslipidemia is to contribute to the protection and improvement people’s health and the country’s socio-economic development".
The growing burden of cardiovascular disease in Vietnam is an urgent issue that requires efforts, initiative, and multilateral cooperation between the government, pharmaceutical companies, health facilities and the whole society to join hands in the control and management of the disease.
As a result, the government and policy makers need to take urgent actions to address the alarming disease situation this disease poses to Vietnamese people. It includes implementing initiatives to raise public awareness of dyslipidemia, building screening programs for early detection and timely treatment, improving access to advanced medicines with long-term efficacy as well as strengthening the capacity of the system to provide cardiovascular disease prevention and control services for people.
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| Delegates attended the workshop "ASCVD & Cholesterol management in Vietnam", co-organized by Vietnam Heart Association and Novartis Vietnam. (Photo: The Association and the Ministry of Health) |
Experts agree that the goal of strengthening control for risk factors, especially dyslipidemia, should be considered as part of the next National Action Plan, including promoting measures for prevention, early detection, and treatment management to limit the increase in the rate of pre-illness, being sick, disability and premature death due to cardiovascular disease in order to protect and improve people’s health and socio-economic development of the country.
Also at the workshop, Novartis Vietnam collaborated with Vietnam Heart Association to announce the EvoHealth White Paper on ASCVD in Vietnam which was implemented in the past year. This is an important document to provide in-depth knowledge on the study of the burden of atherosclerotic disease in Vietnam as well as the important role of dyslipidemia management in controlling cardiovascular disease, from which the recommendations and solutions to support Vietnam in reducing the burden of cardio-vascular disease.
"As a trusted partner of the Vietnamese health system, Novartis is committed to work with the medical community and government to tackle the biggest health challenges, such as ASCVD as a result of increasing risk factors like dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. We are proud to be constantly researching and transforming to bring the most innovative treatment solutions to further enhance health care of Vietnamese people.
The workshop ASCVD & Cholesterol management in Vietnam is a testament for Novartis' commitment to support research and accompany medical experts in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and public health care in general", shared Ms. Karina Ng, Country President, Novartis Vietnam.
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