Some 71 million people in the U.S. have high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) — what’s commonly referred to as “bad cholesterol.” But up to 40% of them aren’t aware of their high cholesterol, and as a result, they aren’t taking measures to tackle it.
That lack of awareness is the main motivation behind National Cholesterol Education Month — and most recently, Family Heart Foundation’s launch of a new at-home cholesterol screening program backed by Amgen.
Family Heart Foundation unveiled the platform Monday for LDL-C Awareness Day, noting the goal is to broaden access to convenient at-home cholesterol testing as a preventive measure for heart disease.
High levels of LDL-C can contribute to a variety of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease. It’s also a sign of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disorder that can be identified through blood tests.
The Cholesterol Connect test provides a lipid panel that can measure total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-cholesterol, which is often called “good cholesterol.” It also provides results on a patient’s triglycerides and lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a). The results can help patients better understand their risk of developing cardiovascular issues.
“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,” said Katherine Wilemon, founder and CEO of the Family Heart Foundation, in a statement.
A variety of lifestyle factors go into cholesterol levels, including diet, levels of physical activity, smoking cigarettes, genetics and the use of certain medications.
Patients can sign up to request a Cholesterol Connect kit online, which Family Heart Foundation said is shipped within seven business days.
Paul Burton, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Amgen, noted in a statement that the pharma company’s collaboration with the Family Heart Foundation seeks to “empower individuals with resources to help them make informed decisions about their heart health and address cardiovascular disease as a public health crisis.”
Among Amgen’s cardiovascular products is Repatha, or evolocumab, which was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2015 to treat high levels of LDL-C.
The pharma has also been investigating olpasiran, a small interfering RNA drug that aims to reduce Lp(a). Last year, it released data from a Phase 2 trial showing that olpasiran resulted in a lasting effect on Lp(a) reduction a year after patients received the final dose.
At the time, Burton noted in a statement that Amgen was “dedicated to reducing LDL cholesterol levels in people globally and continuing to pioneer ways to address the greatest risk factors in cardiovascular disease.”
Amgen reported 20% year-over-year revenue growth in its Q2 report, reaching $8.4 billion in sales for that quarter.
