Cardiovascular disease prevention programme is changed
As of 1 May, age limits for target population of the cardiovascular disease prevention programme financed by health insurance funds have changed and now there is a clear assessment of a patient’s risk of developing these diseases, which determines the frequency of participation. The changes are expected to lead to a more comprehensive and effective health screening of the programme participants and to contribute significantly to the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the population.
As is the case worldwide, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Lithuania. Data of Hygiene Institute shows that the number of people who develop and die from cardiovascular diseases in our country is increasing every year. Almost 914 thousand of Lithuanian residents developed these diseases in 2021 and more than 931 thousand – last year. Last year alone, 23 000 patients died of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, prevention of these diseases turns to be very important.
At the moment, participation in the cardiovascular prevention programme is not sufficient. According to the data of the National Health Insurance Fund under the Ministry of Health (NHIF), less than half of targeted Lithuanian residents (46 pct.) participate in this programme annually.
Earlier, men aged 40-55 and women aged 50-65 could participate in the cardiovascular prevention programme. Age limits for target population have now been extended and men and women aged between 40 and 60 (inclusive) may participate in the programme.
During the programme, a family doctor will give more attention to a patient, different tests will be performed, for instance, lipidogram, electrocardiogram, also, glucose and creatinine concentration will be established etc. The results of the tests will be used to assess the patient’s risk of cardiovascular diseases and to determine whether the patient is at low, medium, high or very high risk.
The frequency of the patient’s participation in the programme will also depend on the risks identified. If the risk of a cardiovascular disease is found to be low or moderate, the person will be invited to take part in the programme again after 4 years. If the risk of these diseases is high, the next time they will be invited after 2 years, and if the risk is very high, after 1 year. If a very high risk is identified, a referral will be made by a family doctor to a cardiologist for a further comprehensive examination of the likelihood of a cardiovascular disease.
“If a family doctor determines that the patient is at high or very high risk of a cardiovascular disease, the patient will be given a primary prevention plan. This will include targeted patient’s body mass index, arterial blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in blood, ways and terms for their control, and recommendations for lifestyle changes. After 6 months, the patient will have to revisit his/her family doctor, who will assess the results of this plan and adjust the plan,” explained Jurgita Grigarienė, Chief Specialist of the Services Management Division.
As in the past, participation in the cardiovascular prevention programme is free of charge for people with compulsory health insurance. If you go to a medical institution, that has an agreement with a territorial health insurance fund, all the services provided are covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF). The cardiovascular disease prevention programme has been implemented in Lithuania since 2006. Recognising the importance of prevention, health insurance funds allocate more and more funds each year to this programme. This year, the CHIF has earmarked EUR 13 million, it is almost EUR 1 million more than last year.
NHIF reminds that it is possible to get a free health check in Lithuania not only according to the programme of cardiovascular diseases but also according to 4 cancer prevention programmes – prostate, colorectal, cervical and breast. For more information about prevention programmes, click here.
(Piktochart photo)
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Last updated: 09-08-2023
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