SWITZERLAND – The Global Heart Hub has announced the launch of Invisible Nation, a program designed to expose and respond to the realities of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
ASCVD, a silent, chronic disease that affects 300 million people worldwide. Invisible Nation, created in collaboration with Novartis and a global network of heart patient organizations and advocates, aims to engage all stakeholders in cardiovascular diseases.
Invisible Nation will bring together a global network of patient organizations and other cardiovascular (CV) stakeholders committed to bringing about systemic change in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is an umbrella term for a group of conditions caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits in arteries.
Many people do not notice any symptoms until the plaque in their arteries unexpectedly ruptures, despite the fact that it has been silently building up over time.
If this occurs, the damaged artery may begin to bleed, resulting in blood clots that travel to various parts of the body. This is frequently followed by a heart attack or stroke.
The program aims to prevent many of the 15 million ASCVD deaths per year and to cut what could soon be a US$1 trillion annual CV disease cost.
Over 85 percent of all cardiovascular disease deaths are caused by ASCVD. In the European Union, ASCVD is the leading cause of death.
The number of deaths caused by ASCVD is roughly 60% higher than the number of deaths caused by cancer.
Even though the vast majority of ASCVD-related deaths are preventable, most countries are still on track to fall short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of a 25% reduction in cardiovascular mortality by 2025.
Invisible Nation will raise awareness of the human and societal costs of ASCVD, advocate for high-level government commitments to combat the disease, and present innovative partnerships and novel access models that can accelerate a global effort to reduce ASCVD-related mortality.
“Many will be surprised to learn that millions and millions of people die each year from ASCVD, and they will be even more surprised when they realize that this terrible loss of life is roughly 60% higher than the number of deaths attributed to cancer,” says Neil Johnson, Executive Director of the Global Heart Hub.
“This is a shocking fact, when you consider that up to 80% of cardiovascular events could be prevented. Patient organizations have a responsibility and now the opportunity to highlight the realities of ASCVD and expose the barriers for people living with it to reach better health outcomes. Increased awareness is the first step in activating change.”
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