People of African, South Asian and Hispanic descent typically have higher levels of Lp(a) and more atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease than other populations. Yet, they frequently miss out on essential healthcare interventions to control their risk factors and encourage a healthy lifestyle. As novel Lp(a) lowering agents progress through Phase 3 clinical trials, Professor Keith Ferdinand, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA, urges colleagues not only to break down barriers so that under-represented groups can participate in research, but also to reach out to these patients in clinical practice so they can access potentially lifesaving treatment:
One of the best things we can do to ensure our patients adhere to these emerging medications is to educate and empower them. Team-based care including physicians, nurse practitioners and clinical pharmacists is essential, and we all need to work with non-profit, community-based organisations, patients and patients’ significant others to increase knowledge about cardiovascular disease and the benefits of adhering to the new treatments.
