Heart Health Program for Veterans: A Success Story
A recent program has shown great promise for improving heart health among veterans with high cholesterol and heart disease. Research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 highlights significant progress in reducing “bad” cholesterol levels, also known as LDL.
Key Findings
- Improved Cholesterol Levels: After 24 months, one-third of veterans in the program reduced their LDL cholesterol to below 70 mg/dL.
- Increased Adherence: The program boosted the rate of veterans taking cholesterol-lowering medications from 78% to 88%. Medication adherence improved too, rising from 65% to 77%.
- Older Veterans Thrive: Notably, among veterans aged 75 and older, 36% met the target LDL cholesterol goal.
Expert Insights
Dr. Luc Djoussé, a cardiovascular epidemiologist from the Boston VA Medical Center, emphasized the importance of lowering LDL cholesterol to prevent heart attacks and strokes. He noted that despite available medications, many veterans still did not reach their cholesterol goals. The study aimed to tackle several barriers, including lack of information and medication adherence.
Historical Context
Heart disease has long been a leading cause of death in the veteran population. Historically, managing cholesterol levels has been challenging due to various factors such as healthcare access and education. The program’s success underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that address these issues.
Participants and Methodology
The program, known as VALOR-QI, began in December 2022 and targets veterans with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It involved nearly 160,000 veterans at 50 healthcare sites. The research analyzed data from over 83,000 participants, illustrating the program’s broad reach and effectiveness.
Addressing Barriers
The quality improvement program implemented several key strategies, including:
- Providing health coaches to guide veterans.
- Creating multidisciplinary teams for better support.
- Improving medication prescription practices.
These measures aimed to empower veterans to take charge of their heart health.
Looking Forward
The findings from this program are preliminary, as they have not yet undergone peer review. However, they suggest that simple, cost-effective interventions can yield significant health benefits. Future studies may delve deeper into how these improvements affect long-term heart health and healthcare costs.
Additional Resource
For more information about heart health initiatives, the American Heart Association offers insights into their ongoing research and advocacy efforts here.
By focusing on practical solutions and community support, programs like VALOR-QI hold the potential to enhance the quality of life for veterans, guiding them toward healthier futures.
Source link
Luc Djoussé,LDL cholesterol,health coaches,heart and blood vessel disease,high cholesterol,VALOR-QI,Late-breaking science,Scientific Sessions,American Heart Association
