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OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 12, 2022 – Three Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are participating in an American Heart Association pilot focused on improving care for adults with chronic cardiovascular disease by developing a national framework for how to successfully treat and manage high cholesterol.

Kaiser Permanente medical centers in San Francisco, Fremont and South Sacramento are participating in the national initiative, that will focus on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and related risk factors. The American Heart Association pilot includes educational training for primary care clinicians and cardiologists, and will culminate in the development of standardized tools and workflows to enhance detection, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for ASCVD.

In the United States, nearly half of all adults over 40 have blood cholesterol levels that put them at risk for ASCVD, increasing the possibility of heart disease and stroke.

A cohort of geographically diverse hospitals was selected to inform best practices that will be used to develop a national framework for successful treatment of cholesterol management across the entire care continuum.

“Kaiser Permanente is already a national leader in providing comprehensive care and support for those dealing with cardiovascular disease and we know our participation in this effort will help others with heart disease live longer, healthier lives,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “We are proud to join in this important effort as we work alongside other health systems to ensure patients suffering with chronic cardiovascular disease have the effective treatment they need to reduce high cholesterol and achieve better outcomes.”

Research published in 2018 in the American Journal of Medicine found death rates from heart disease and stroke in adults under age 65 were lower and dropped faster for Kaiser Permanente members in Northern California than in the rest of the United States.

“Our physicians, nurses, and staff are deeply committed to providing a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health that combines high-quality preventive and therapeutic interventions, and our participation in this pilot will be an important step toward saving lives,” said Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS, chief executive officer and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Our nation-leading clinical excellence combined with our comprehensive approach to care will continue to make a difference as we work alongside other health systems to provide effective and equitable treatments for those afflicted with this disease.”

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About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve almost 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org

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