Media Release
24 January 2013
Cardiovascular Health Well Cared For
West Coasters who have been hospitalised with a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event have the highest rates of being on a
treatment regime that reduces the likelihood of further events or death.
The Health Quality and Safety Commission has developed an Atlas of Health Care Variation. The atlas highlights
variations throughout New Zealand in the provision and use of specific health services and health outcomes. (See www.hqsc.govt.nz)
West Coasters lead the country in having the highest percentage of people following best practice by being on the three
relevant medication groups (following a CVD event),
• A statin (cholesterol lowering medication)
• A blood pressure lowering drug
• An antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug
The West Coast Long Term Conditions strategy, which is a joint programme of the West Coast DHB, the West Coast PHO and
Community and Public Health, has been running here for seven years. The results identified in the atlas are evidence
that the effort within the West Coast health system to improve the management of people with long-term conditions is
bearing fruit.
ENDS