The current management of cholesterol was re-examined at the in July 2001. There are 293 patients with ischaemic heart disease (heart attack and angina), 5% of the practice population. Nationally it has been decided to examine the treatment of patients aged 35-74 in order to get comparable figures for practices with populations of different age structure. The practice has also been concentrating on measuring and treating raised cholesterol in those aged under 75 years because treatment takes a number of years to be effective. There were 170 patients with ischaemic heart disease aged 74 or under.
Of these 170, there were cholesterol measurements available for 155 (91%). Of these 155:-
85 (55%) are in the target range of < 5.0 mmol/l.
Discussion
The target value for treatment of cholesterol has been lowered to 5 mmol/l and the patients targetted have been extended to include those aged 70-74 since the last audit was carried out.
The notes of all 70 patients with ischaemic heart disease aged under 75 whose cholesterol was either not known or whose cholesterol was >5.0 mmol/l were examined. Four were found not to have angina really and 1 had left the practice. Some were found to be awaiting a repeat test after starting or changing treatment. Letters were sent out to 35 patients to ask them to come for a repeat blood test for cholesterol. The cases of the remainder were referred back to their usual doctor for consideration of treatment or increasing the doses of current treatment.