Survivors in Canada are Taking Steps to Reduce the Risk of Another Heart Attack. But is it Enough?
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n recognition of February as Heart Month, Amgen Canada (Amgen) today released Canadian findings as part of a global survey1 that evaluated worldwide heart attack survivors' perceptions and awareness of the connection between cholesterol and cardiovascular (CV) events revealing that 56 per cent of respondents in Canada do not consider high cholesterol to be a chronic condition requiring long-term management and care.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), or bad cholesterol, is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for heart attack.3 Globally more than 40% of patients who have had a CV event, like a heart attack, will go on to have another within two years.4
The survey's findings show that while heart attack survivors are proactively trying to improve their cardiovascular health, they may not fully understand the importance of lowering high LDL-C to reduce their risk of another heart attack
Sixty-two per cent of survey respondents report being mindful about what they eat, 60 per cent monitor their blood pressure and 55 per cent are conscious of their weight.5
However, confusion remains when it comes to lowering cholesterol. Only one in two heart attack survivors know both their current and target cholesterol level; and of survivors living with high cholesterol, 88 per cent do not consider it to be a leading risk factor for another event.6
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the most significant health challenges in Canada where an estimated 63,200 adults will experience a first heart attack this year7, said Ponda Motsepe-Ditshego, Executive Medical Director at Amgen Canada. This survey shows patients want to reduce their risk of another heart attack, but are unsure about the best actions to take. This Heart Month we're urging high-risk patients to talk to their doctor and learn more about the connection between high cholesterol and the risk of a repeat heart attack as well as how they can lower their cholesterol levels.
The survey of more than 3,200 heart attack survivors across 13 countries, including 250 people in Canada - revealed that patients might not be having the right conversations with their doctors. Additional key findings included
Fifty-six per cent of surveyed Canadians do not believe high cholesterol is a chronic condition requiring long-term care.2
While 88 per cent of patients have had their cholesterol checked in the last year by a physician, only six out of ten patients have discussed the role of cholesterol in heart attacks with their healthcare professional.6
Globally, approximately 8 of 10 very high-risk adults are still unable to attain their LDL-C goal despite lipid-lowering therapy.8 Professional cardiology societies around the world now recognize that lower cholesterol reduces the risk of another CV event, which is reflected in updated treatment guidelines for high-risk patients. Newer, more potent treatment options are the only way for these high-risk patients to achieve recommended cholesterol levels that can help reduce their risk of another heart attack.
Amgen encourages heart attack survivors or anyone concerned about their cardiovascular health to spend this Heart Month learning about cholesterol. But a heart-healthy lifestyle is an ongoing process, so talk to your doctor to learn more about how you can improve your heart health and reduce your risk of life-changing CV events.
✔️ Survivors in Canada are Taking Steps to Reduce the Risk of Another Heart Attack. But is it Enough?
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