HEARTS: highlighting CKD and CVD prevention
ISN is calling for the implementation of the HEARTS technical package on cardiovascular disease prevention. The World Health Organization and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention have developed the HEARTS technical package as part of the GLOBAL HEARTS INITIATIVE, of which ISN is a partner.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death worldwide. Together with diabetes, hypertension and obesity, chronic kidney disease is a well-known and very common CVDs co-morbidity.
By implementing the package’s suggested interventions, countries will be able to improve CVD prevention and in turn reduce the incidence of kidney disease.
The HEARTS technical package comprises of six modules and an implementation guide and aims to support Ministries of Health strengthen the management of CVD and common co-morbidities such as kidney disease in primary health care settings.
‘This is a great step towards CVD and kidney disease prevention. We are proud to have contributed to the creation of a tool that, by tackling CVDs management at national and local level, can have a real impact on kidney disease outcomes,’ says Valerie Luyckx, who personally reviewed all HEARTS modules on behalf of ISN.
‘The HEARTS modules are intended for use by policy makers and program managers at different levels within the Ministries of Health. We strongly encourage ISN members and the nephrology community as a whole to champion the use and implementation of the HEARTS package at national level to improve CVD management and help prevent avoidable deaths from CVD and KD,’ adds Marcello Tonelli.
For more information on the Global Circulatory Health initiative and to access the HEARTS technical package, CLICK HERE.
