More targeted examinations are intended to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. In the long term, Health Minister Lauterbach hopes this will save costs.
In the future, undetected high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and other risk factors for heart attacks and strokes will be detected and treated earlier in Germany through significantly improved prevention. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced in Berlin that he would present a bill for this in a few weeks. The SPD politician had previously discussed this with representatives of doctors, health insurance companies and pharmacies.
As Lauterbach said, blood tests will be used to “search” for possible familial lipid metabolism disorders during the U9 preventive examination for children aged five. Such disorders can lead to increased cholesterol levels (colloquially known as blood lipids), which in turn are responsible for deposits on vessel walls and narrowing of the vessels – with an increased risk of later strokes or heart attacks.
People should be addressed specifically
At the ages of 25, 35 and 50, systematic searches should also be made for elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and undetected diabetes, added Lauterbach. He had already recently announced that corresponding tests should also be made possible in pharmacies. These are voluntary examinations. However, the health insurance companies should specifically write to the age groups mentioned that this is an option.
“The entire measure will of course reduce costs in the German health system,” said Lauterbach, referring to the high costs that arise without early detection and prevention, for example if heart and bypass operations become necessary later.
Source: Stern
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