The Early Atherosclerosis and Dyslipidaemia Office has been opened in the “Aura” polyclinic of “Veselības centru apvienība” (VCA). It will now serve as a patient counselling centre and as a competence centre for GPs in the field of early atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia. In cooperation with the physicians of the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, the specialists of the new office will be involved in the establishment of the Latvian Atherosclerosis Patient Register.

“The primary patient group for the Early Atherosclerosis and Dyslipidaemia Office will be patients under 60 years of age who have elevated cholesterol levels in their blood tests, who are interested in better understanding and assessing their risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as in having additional examinations performed. Some of the patients will be those who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease and have already undergone invasive treatment – percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or aortocoronary bypass grafting, as well as patients who have elevated low-density cholesterol and require a medical consultation to be prescribed appropriate medical therapy”, states Elita Vārava, VCA’s lead cardiologist, explaining the importance of the services planned in the new office. She is pleased that several cardiologists will be able to consult patients in one place and, if necessary, decide together on further therapeutic tactics.

Anyone in Latvia aged 40-65 can have their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis, assessed free of charge by their GP using the SCORE (risk of a fatal cardiovascular event in the next 10 years) method. Cholesterol is a fat that builds up on the walls of blood vessels and narrows them, causing a variety of health problems including atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels and the risk of stroke and heart attack. If there are complaints or a suspected risk of heredity of the disease according to the family anamnesis, patients will be able to receive a free consultation at the VCA Early Atherosclerosis and Dyslipidaemia Office, even without a referral from their GP.

www.vca.lv; www.epoliklinika.lv; www.veselibaskarte.lv

“Veselības centru apvienība” (VCA) is one of the largest private healthcare companies in Latvia with locations in Riga, Jūrmala, Liepāja, Daugavpils, Talsi, Madona, Saldus, Bauska. More than 1500 VCA employees provide state-funded and fee-for-service services in 120 specialities and care areas.