National recognition for Sussex work helping thousands of people to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes
A programme which is helping more than 5,400 people in Sussex be prevented from serious illness has been nationally recognised.
A programme which is helping more than 5,400 people in Sussex be prevented from serious illness has been nationally recognised.
The cardiovascular prevention programme - led by NHS Sussex - has been included as a national case study published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
This new programme started last year, and works with GP practices across Sussex to increase the uptake of lipid-lowering therapies, such as statins, among people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
As a result of the programme, uptake of lipid-lowering therapy increased from 59.9% to 63.8%, bringing Sussex in-line with the national performance at 63.9%, and improving the area’s national ranking from 37th to 19th out of 42 integrated care systems.
Importantly, the national 65% target was exceeded among patients aged 40 to 79 years, the group most likely to benefit from early prevention, with uptake reaching over 70% in several cohorts.
All 156 GP practices across Sussex signed up to the six-month programme, which was delivered between April and September 2025. During this time, more than 13,600 patients were offered preventative treatment, and 5,482 patients began lipid-lowering therapy, helping to reduce their future risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Dr Suneeta Kochhar, GP and Clinical Lead for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at NHS Sussex, said: “Heart attacks and strokes are often preventable, and medicines such as medicines to reduce cholesterol can play an important role in reducing people’s risk.
“Through this programme we have worked closely with GP practices across Sussex to identify people who may benefit from treatment and have conversations with them about their heart health.
“It is really encouraging that we exceeded the national target among people aged 40 to 79 years. These are the people who have the most to gain from early prevention, helping them stay healthier for longer and reducing their risk of serious illness later in life.”
The programme combined clinical leadership, education and practical support for GP practices, alongside data driven approaches to identify patients most likely to benefit from treatment.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects approximately 6.4 to 7 million people in England, and is the second leading cause of death across the country. It causes over one quarter (26%) of all deaths in England, which also has significant disparities - where the most deprived populations are three times more likely to die prematurely from CVD than the least deprived.
Lipid-lowering therapies are proven to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people at increased risk.
The NICE case study highlights NHS Sussex’s commitment to prevention and improving outcomes for patients across Sussex, helping more people receive early intervention and live healthier lives. NICE noted that the model could be replicated in other areas.