Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills 136,000 individuals a year and CVD prevention remains a long-term NHS priority. It is estimated that 20 million people have elevated cholesterol levels, putting them at serious risk of developing CVD. A new lipid management search tool is being launched by GP system suppliers to cover atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and the secondary prevention lipid management pathway. This is being launched with a phased approach, and we expect it to be available in all practices by the end of June.
The search tool uses information within primary care systems and a specific set of search criteria to identify patients who may benefit from a treatment intervention or review in line with NICE guidance. The searches can be run by each general practice, and while the use of this tool is not mandatory, it is designed to be an additional resource to help optimise patient care in lipid management.