• Every 30 minutes, a Romanian dies from a myocardial infarction – and myocardial infarction is a preventable and treatable complication of atherosclerosis!
• Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in our country, accounting for over 50% of all registered deaths.
• Romania ranks first in the European Union for deaths from preventable and treatable causes, according to the 2023 State of Health in the European Union report.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for immediate medical solutions!

In addition to intensive treatment of each cardiovascular risk factor, rapidly lowering LDL cholesterol (reaching target levels within no more than 12 weeks!) in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction REDUCES THE RATE OF CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS AND INCREASES SURVIVAL! This is the message communicated by the Romanian Heart Foundation to patients who have experienced a myocardial infarction!

In Romania, only 9% of patients with cardiovascular risk factors reach their LDL cholesterol target, according to the results of a study recently presented at the European Atherosclerosis Congress. The Swedish registry (SWEDEHEART) shows that 80% of patients with acute myocardial infarction require at least two medications to reach LDL cholesterol targets (half of them need three medications!).

Patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction are referred, upon discharge from invasive acute coronary treatment centers, to local physicians. Rapid and optimal control of risk factors—primarily LDL cholesterol levels—plays a vital role. Effective communication and collaboration between the cardiologist, the patient, and the family doctor are therefore crucial, and any optimization of this process is a top priority!

In this context, the Romanian Heart Foundation is implementing an optimized Medical Letter model as part of a project dedicated to centers participating in the Acute Myocardial Infarction Invasive Treatment Program run by the Ministry of Health. In the first phase, five healthcare units are included: the Cardiology Clinic of the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, the Cardiology Center in Craiova, the “Prof. Dr. George I.M. Georgescu” Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Iași, the Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Transplant in Târgu Mureș, and the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Timișoara.

Prof. Dr. Dragoș Vinereanu, President of the Romanian Heart Foundation, declared: “The use of a personalized Medical Letter at the discharge of patients with myocardial infarction, specifying the LDL cholesterol targets to be achieved and ensuring commitment not only from the CARDIOLOGIST but also from the PATIENT and the FAMILY DOCTOR, will represent an important success in a lifelong partnership!”

Dr. Rodica Tănăsescu, former President of the National Society of Family Medicine, declared: “The iparticipation of cardiologists and family doctors, as well as clearly informing patients about the therapeutic steps to follow after a myocardial infarction, are priorities of this project!”.

Prof. Dr. Dan Gaiță, member of the Board of Directors of the European Heart Network, said: “The mission of any organization supporting patients with cardiovascular diseases is not only to provide accurate information and raise awareness of the risks of complications and death, but above all to facilitate access to the optimal approach that minimizes these risks!”.

Together we can save lives!

About the Romanian Heart Foundation

The Romanian Heart Foundation was founded by cardiologists in Romania, members of the Romanian Society of Cardiology.

The purpose of establishing this foundation was to implement the national strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and to support public health campaigns in Romania. Shortly after its establishment, in May 2010, the Romanian Heart Foundation (RHF) became affiliated with the European Heart Network (EHN), the main lobbying body in health issues before the European Parliament and the representative authority in cardiovascular disease prevention, with headquarters in Brussels.

www.romanianheart.ro