CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Family Heart Foundation® today announced the launch of Cholesterol Connect®, a groundbreaking program that combines free at-home lipid screening with the power of the Family Heart Care Navigation® Center, which provides live, personalized support to help people understand and learn how to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C, referred to as “bad” cholesterol), powerful instigators of CVD that affect millions of Americans, often go undiagnosed, leaving individuals at a significantly higher risk for heart attacks and strokes. At-home screening and access to virtual Care Navigation is open to the public; insurance is not involved. Cholesterol Connect® is sponsored in part by Amgen.
An estimated 71 million Americans have high LDL-C circulating in their bloodstream, but more than 40% are unaware of this high-risk condition. Similarly, more than 60 million Americans are living with elevated levels of Lp(a), which is genetically determined and can be screened for with a simple blood test, yet only 1.1% of adults have ever been tested. Cholesterol Connect® aims to close these critical gaps in cardiovascular care by putting test kits in consumers’ hands so they are empowered with knowledge and Family Heart Care Navigation® support.
“Screening for cardiovascular conditions can be lifesaving by preventing heart attacks and strokes. Yet, these critical risk factors are often overlooked,” said Katherine Wilemon, founder and CEO of the Family Heart Foundation. “Cholesterol Connect supports the cornerstone of Family Heart Foundation’s mission to protect families and future generations from preventable heart disease and stroke. By raising awareness and offering accessible, at-home testing, we empower the millions of Americans living with these conditions to take control of their heart health before it’s too late. We are grateful to Amgen for their foundation-level support of this important initiative.”
“Making Lp(a) and LDL-Cholesterol screening more easily accessible is vital to help people better understand their risk for heart attack and stroke,” said Paul Burton, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Amgen. "Amgen's collaboration with the Family Heart Foundation aims to empower individuals with resources to help them make informed decisions about their heart health and address cardiovascular disease as a public health crisis.”
Unlike other screening programs, Cholesterol Connect® participants can opt-in to receive support from a Family Heart Care Navigator®, who will review their test results, offer educational resources, and provide personalized support. Participants can schedule virtual consultations with Care Navigators, regardless of insurance status.
Launching on September 30, LDL-C Awareness Day, this program is a response to the growing need for proactive heart health awareness, screening, and treatment. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming a life every 33 seconds. Yet, 80-90% of cardiovascular deaths are preventable if people are aware of their risk factors. Cholesterol Connect® helps address this by offering free, easy-to-use at-home test kits and connecting participants with real people to answer questions and offer guidance to have informed conversations with healthcare team(s).
"You are not alone on this journey," said Dr. Larry Sperling, chief medical officer of the Family Heart Foundation. "Through Cholesterol Connect, we are able to address the disparities and access to lab work, so all people in the U.S. are empowered with knowledge of their and their family’s heart health history. We ensure individuals receive the comprehensive care and education they need to take control of their cardiovascular health."
The Cholesterol Connect® test is a standard lipid panel that measures total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and includes screening for lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. This program is open to the public.
How Cholesterol Connect® Works
1. Participants request a free test kit online at www.cholesterolconnect.org by signing up and filling out the online form.
2. The kit is shipped via Endless Health, with instructions to complete the at-home screen. Participants ship the test back to the lab using the prepaid return label.
3. Test samples can be tracked and are processed in a CLIA-certified, secure laboratory. Participants can securely view results online and can easily share results with the Family Heart Foundation Care Navigators® and their providers.
Once participants have their results, the option to schedule a session with a Family Heart Care Navigator® to learn about results and talk about conditions is available. Care Navigation consultations are optional but an encouraged free service to help people understand their results and what to do about it.
No test results or personal health information will be shared with industry sponsors. For more information about Cholesterol Connect®, or to request a free test kit, please visit www.cholesterolconnect.org.
About the Family Heart Foundation®
The Family Heart Foundation ® is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization. The Foundation is a pioneer in the application of real-world evidence, patient-driven advocacy, and multi-stakeholder education to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and high lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), two common genetic disorders that have an impact across generations. The Family Heart Foundation conducts innovative research to break down barriers to diagnosis and management of inherited lipid disorders; educates patients, providers, and policymakers; advocates for change; and provides hope and support for families impacted by heart disease and stroke caused by Lp(a), FH, Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). The organization was founded in 2011 as the FH Foundation and has expanded it’s work and brand to Family Heart Foundation.
Learn more about Family Heart Foundation’s Care Navigation® program, which offers free virtual consultation for patients to learn about genetic heart and lipid conditions, find support, and navigate healthcare. Ordering Cholesterol Connect Test Kits and access to Care Navigation is free; insurance is not involved. https://familyheart.org/care-navigation-center.
For more information, visit FamilyHeart.org and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (@FamliyHeartFoundation, #KnowLpa).
About "Cholesterol Connect™
Cholesterol Connect®: Comprehensive Screening and Support
The Cholesterol Connect® test is a standard lipid panel that measures total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and includes screening for lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Anyone can request this test, regardless of insurance status. After ordering the test online, participants will receive a kit shipped via Endless Health, including a prepaid return label.
Cholesterol Connect® builds on a successful pilot program launched earlier this year for Lp(a) Awareness Day on March 24. The response was overwhelming, with all kits ordered within just five days.
For more information visit CholesterolConnect.org.
References:
[1] Nordestgaard BG, et al. Eur Heart J. 2013;34(45):3478-90a.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart Disease Facts. 2023.
[3] American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2023 Update.
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High Cholesterol Facts. 2023.
[5] Bucholz EM, et al. Circulation. 2018;137(21):2218-30.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235288/
[2] https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2023/09/12/13/25/ACC-Launches-New-Quality-Improvement-and-Education-Program-to-Increase-Cholesterol-Screenings
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/php/toolkit/index.html
[4] https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-program-for-veterans-with-high-cholesterol-associated-cardiovascular-disease
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YeMJobrxUQ
[6] https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/about-million-hearts/optimizing-care/cholesterol-management.html
[7] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/TLC-Therapeutic-Lifestyle-Changes-Lower-Cholesterol
[8] https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
