Global healthcare company Organon, in collaboration with the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) mounted the 2nd Lipid Forum titled “Start Early, Strike Strong: Addressing the Urgency of “Treat to Goal” in Dyslipidemia Management” to tackle the pressing issue of cholesterol management among Filipinos.
The healthcare forum, which had sessions in Cebu and Manila, brought together leading cardiologists, surgeons, and lipid experts across the country.
Renowned cardiologists Dr. Kelvin Chua (left) and Dr. Lourdes Ella Santos (Right) discuss the life-saving impact of starting high-intensity statin treatments combined with Ezetimibe for high-risk patients during the panel discussion at the Lipid Forum 2024.
“At Organon, we are dedicated to improving health outcomes. We aim to enhance the application of evidence-based guidelines for lipid management, especially in high and very high-risk patients. By setting target goals, we can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve quality of life.” said Dr. Ina Crisologo, Organon Medical Lead in Asia Pacific Cluster.
In the Asia Pacific (APAC), the Philippines faces a significant public health burden of dyslipidemia, with almost 40% of the population being affected by high cholesterol levels
Dyslipidemia includes abnormal, unhealthy levels of bad cholesterol or low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) in the bloodstream. When excessive bad cholesterol circulates in the blood, it causes the build-up of fatty plaques that clog the normal blood flow to the heart and other organs, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Recent data from PSA have shown that heart disease accounts for 124,182 cases or more than 18% of all deaths across the country, claiming more lives than any other illness.
Alarmingly, millions of Filipinos as young as 20 years old are unknowingly suffering from high cholesterol levels, making early detection and intervention crucial. Compounding this problem, about 12% of patients diagnosed with dyslipidemia may be affected by Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes abnormally high levels of cholesterol and fat.
The lower, the better.
When it comes to managing cholesterol, the international healthcare consensus adheres to the principle: “The lower, the better.” Studies have shown that lowering LDL-C to optimal levels could prevent 75% of deaths from cardiovascular diseases worldwide.
According to research, a 39 mg/dL decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL-C) translates to an invaluable 20% reduction in the risk of threatening heart conditions.
By lowering bad cholesterol (LDL-C) through aggressive lipid-lowering therapies, you can effectively reduce atherosclerosis or plaque formation in the walls of your arteries.
Lipid-lowering therapies using Ezetimibe work by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed in the intestine, thereby decreasing the overall amount of cholesterol in the body. When combined with statin medication, the treatment effectively decreases both absorption and production of cholesterol in the body.
Cardiologist Dr. Kelvin Chua shares latest research in the management of dyslipidemia in the 2nd Lipid Forum organized by the Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society (PLAS) and healthcare company Organon Philippines.
According to cardiologist and heart rhythm disorder expert Dr. Kelvin Chua, to effectively lower LDL-C levels and prevent heart disease, a single-pill combination (SPC) of ezetimibe with stain-based therapy can improve healthcare outcomes for very high-risk populations.
The benefits of single-pill combination (SPC) are the following:
- Simplifies treatment and compliance by combining multiple medications into just one single pill.
- Enhance patient adherence to treatment
- SPC therapy has been shown to help patients meet their LDL-C goals
“Based on studies, by aggressively treating dyslipidemia in high-risk patients with high-intensity statin or combination therapy, there’s a significant reduction of atheroma in the arteries. Said Dr. Chua. “If you can lower the LDL-C by more than 40% up to a 70mg/dl target, it can lead to plaque regression.”
Starting early saves lives
Renowned lipid expert Dr. Lourdes Ella Santos spotlights the impact of upfront treatment of the single-pill combination of ezetimibe and statin treatment for very high-risk patients such as those with FH and a history of heart disease or stroke.
“The earlier, the better,” emphasized Dr. Santos. “Studies have shown that every 1 millimole of LDL-C reduction leads to 20-25% relative risk reduction of any major cardiovascular events. More importantly, the longer the patient is on lipid-lowering therapy, the better cumulative benefit.”
The cumulative effect of long-term lipid-lowering therapies is crucial for patients with FH, who are exposed to high LDL-c levels from birth. By initiating combination therapy early and maintaining it consistently over time, patients can significantly reduce their lifetime exposure to elevated LDL-c.
“Early intervention is important. LDL reduction is significant when combination therapy is given. Not only does it translate to lower LDL-c levels but also to lower risk of cardiovascular events and mortality,” Dr. Santos added.
The success of this year’s Lipid Forum is a testament to Organon and PLAS’s commitment to pushing the boundaries and elevating healthcare practice in the Philippines. By equipping top medical doctors in the country with the latest advancements in lipid research and clinical guidelines, Organon aims to drive positive health actions that enhance the treatment of cardiovascular diseases for millions of Filipinos nationwide.
ADVT.
This article is brought to you by Organon Philippines.