A risk stratification study of 1.3 million citizens has revealed that 145,000 individuals within the ASL Roma 2 local health authority are at cardiovascular risk, with 41,800 of those classified as high or very high risk. The data shows that nearly 40% have never undergone a cardiological examination, and 15% have never had their cholesterol levels checked.
The findings are part of a protocol established between ASL Roma 2 and the pharmaceutical company Novartis, focused on dyslipidemias—abnormal levels of lipids (fats) in the blood. This initiative has led to the creation of a dedicated health pathway and a specialized outpatient clinic for the condition at the Sandro Pertini Hospital.
“The results from this project highlight the urgency of implementing a targeted follow-up for patients with high cardiovascular risk, whose health conditions are worse than the population average,” stated Antonino Granatelli, Director of the Complex Operational Unit of Cardiology at Sandro Pertini Hospital. “Thanks to risk stratification, we can now intervene in a targeted manner. We have outlined a specific health pathway with a dedicated clinic for dyslipidemias at Pertini Hospital. We hope this initiative can significantly reduce hospitalization and mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases in our area.”
According to estimates, improving follow-up for high-risk subjects could reduce hospital mortality by up to seven percentage points and shorten the average hospital stay from 11 to 6 days. This would also optimize the use of National Health Service (SSN) resources and benefit waiting lists.
“Prevention and managed care are the main paths to pursue, both to reduce inappropriate emergency room visits and, specifically in this important campaign, to lower mortality and hospitalizations linked to cardiovascular diseases,” added Antonello Aurigemma, President of the Lazio Regional Council. “This campaign, useful for cardiovascular risk stratification, demonstrates how synergy between a public health company and a major pharmaceutical company like Novartis can yield results of absolute importance for the citizens of our Region.”
This collaboration in the Lazio region is in addition to similar ongoing cardiovascular initiatives in Tuscany, Campania, Sicily, and Piedmont.