2023-09-01 09:44:01
Title: Alarming Rise in Cardiovascular Diseases Requires Shift in Approach to Prevention, says National Health Care Institute
Subtitle: Report calls for better support in staying healthy and greater emphasis on lifestyle changes
[City], [Date] – The number of Dutch people with cardiovascular diseases or at risk of developing them is steadily increasing, according to a new report by the National Health Care Institute. The report, titled ‘Signal on appropriate care for people with cardiovascular disease: Hart voor Vaten’, highlights the urgent need for intervention to prevent cardiovascular diseases from becoming the leading cause of disease burden and mortality in the country by 2040.
The report aims to create a social agenda that will initiate a paradigm shift in the approach to cardiovascular diseases, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention. It underlines the importance of drawing up an Integral Care Agreement (IZA) specifically targeting cardiovascular diseases, which are responsible for nearly 7 billion euros in annual healthcare costs, accounting for 14% of the total healthcare budget.
Currently, 1.7 million Dutch people suffer from cardiovascular diseases, with an additional 3 million falling into the high-risk category. These individuals require lifelong medication, such as blood thinners and cholesterol inhibitors. The alarming reality is exacerbated by the fact that approximately 640 people are admitted to hospitals every day due to cardiovascular diseases.
One significant finding from the report suggests that patients tend to underestimate the importance of lifestyle advice in preventing cardiovascular diseases. The report highlights the need for better support in encouraging healthier habits and emphasizes that medication alone cannot address issues such as arterial calcification. Smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity are identified as major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, with cardiovascular conditions often resulting in fatal consequences.
To effectively address this growing crisis, the report stresses the importance of collaboration among healthcare providers, professionals outside the medical care industry, patients, and the public. The Zorginstituut recommends better information dissemination to raise awareness among individuals and the general public, highlighting the fact that adopting healthier lifestyles can significantly improve overall health and enhance quality of life.
Sjaak Wijma, Chairman of the board of the Zorginstituut, emphasizes the need for a change in mindset and approach: “Appropriate care is often pioneering because it also requires thinking differently, acting differently, organizing differently. Keeping our care accessible, good, and affordable requires awareness and commitment from each of us.”
The monitoring report has garnered broad support from various stakeholders, including care providers, patient representatives, scientists, and health insurers in the cardiovascular care sector. The report has been presented to Minister Kuipers of Health, Welfare, and Sport and will soon be submitted to the House of Representatives.
About the National Health Care Institute:
Zorginstituut Nederland is a government organization responsible for compiling the basic package of health insurance. As an essential part of their mandate, they make decisions to ensure that everyone in the Netherlands can access quality healthcare both now and in the future.
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