Background
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and two thirds of people at risk are not fully treated. For some people high cholesterol runs in their family as a genetic condition, this is called familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).
As part of the national Lipid Management and Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) programme, Health Innovation Oxford and Thames Valley, along with North East North Cumbria HIN, NHS England, Spoonful of Sugar, Heart UK and Creative Connection Animation Studio, worked with patients and clinicians to develop a series of animated videos and leaflets.
What we did
We held a series of workshops with patients and health staff focusing on the management of high cholesterol and FH. A thematic analysis of the discussions, alongside mapping existing resources, identified the need for new patient materials on these topics. An evidence search and summary looking at health inequalities was also undertaken.
The animations and leaflets describe the importance of understanding cholesterol, the problems caused by blood fats being out of balance, and how to reduce the risks of having a cardiovascular event (e.g. heart attack or stroke).
For more information about treatment options, please refer to the NICE endorsed Summary of National Guidance for Lipid Management for Primary and Secondary Prevention of CVD.
Resources
English versions of all the animations can be found here.
Supporting leaflets in English can be accessed using the links below:
- Cholesterol and you leaflet (pdf)
- Preventing heart attacks leaflet (pdf)
- Statins and you leaflet (pdf)
These resources are also available in seven other languages, along with related downloadable leaflets.
Albanian
Arabic
Hindi
Polish
Portuguese
Ukrainian
Urdu
Leaflets are also available from the Heart UK website.
For more information contact Dr Siân Rees, Director of Community Involvement & Workforce Innovation: sian.rees@healthinnovationoxford.org