Reducing cardiovascular risk in Belgium through practical and measurable initiatives: a multidisciplinary expert-led call to action

BACKGROUND: The clinical and economic burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Belgium is substantial. METHODS: A programme of practical and quantifiable initiatives to drive tangible benefits in care was developed through a roundtable collaboration of experts across multiple disciplines to address the unmet needs of CVD in Belgium. The goal of the initiative was to reduce CV risk in the Belgian population by enhancing care through personalised medicine, improved education, better data access, addressing risk factors and promoting early screening and awareness. RESULTS: Seven priority initiatives were defined in this process, based on a review of current health system barriers to optimal CV care in Belgium: 1) To streamline and tailor existing international and European CVD treatment guidelines for implementation in Belgium; 2) To create a national electronic health database widely available to all users, with categorised data allowing meaningful analysis; 3) To implement a nationwide general practice (GP)-led CV screening programme focussing on traditional and non-traditional risk factors; 4) To review and standardise laboratory templates and reports to support adherence to guideline-recommended cardio-metabolic targets; 5) To publish evidence-based support encouraging a multidisciplinary approach in CVD; 6) To harness emerging technologies to support healthcare professionals in making a personalised treatment decision for each patient; 7) To develop two-way GP and specialist training academies, including a specialist-led cardio-renal-metabolic academy targeted at GPs with a complementary GP-led framework to promote multidisciplinary care. CONCLUSION: Work to implement the outlined initiatives has started, and progress will be monitored and reported through predefined metrics.