Lithuania has launched a major national health initiative, ‘Mission 75/28,’ designed to tackle one of the highest cardiovascular mortality rates in Europe. The project, a collaboration between the Lithuanian Hypertension Society, the Lithuanian Society of Cardiologists, and the Lithuanian College of Family Physicians, aims to prevent 28,000 premature deaths by significantly improving the management of high blood pressure across the country.
The initiative comes as a response to alarming health data: more than half of the Lithuanian population (54%) aged between 30 and 79 currently suffers from hypertension. This statistic places Lithuania within the highest cardiovascular risk zone in Europe, often referred to by medical professionals as the “dark red zone” due to the severity of the regional health crisis.
A Strategic Response to a Regional Health Crisis
The “Mission 75/28” project is built on two primary targets: achieving effective blood pressure control for 75% of patients in participating clinics and reaching this goal by the year 2028. By focusing on these benchmarks, health officials hope to drastically reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction (heart attacks), strokes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease.
Dr. Tomas Lapinskas, President of the Lithuanian Society of Cardiologists, highlighted the urgency of the situation during a press conference marking World Hypertension Day. He noted that the eastern flank of Europe consistently reports the highest cardiovascular mortality rates, exceeding 600 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The project seeks to move away from reactive treatment toward a proactive, inter-institutional management model.
The Shift to Single-Pill Combinations and Case Management
A cornerstone of the new strategy is improving patient adherence to treatment. Medical experts emphasize that hypertension is a chronic, lifelong condition that requires consistent management rather than occasional intervention. One of the primary tools being promoted is the use of single-pill combinations, which combine multiple medications into one tablet to simplify the daily regimen for patients.
Mindaugas Sinkevičius, head of the Šeškinė Polyclinic—one of the eight initial institutions participating in the pilot phase—explained that the project allows for better data tracking and case management. Currently, while 60% of diagnosed patients at his clinic have their blood pressure under control, 40% remain at high risk. The mission aims to bridge this gap by assigning clear responsibilities to healthcare providers and ensuring patients understand the necessity of their prescribed medication.
Challenging the ‘Silent Killer’ Myths
One of the greatest obstacles to effective treatment in Lithuania is the prevailing myth that blood pressure only needs to be addressed if a person feels unwell. Dr. Marius Miglinas, a nephrologist and one of the initiators of the mission, warned that arterial hypertension is a “silent killer” that often shows no symptoms until a major event like a stroke or kidney failure occurs.
“People still tend to trust their subjective well-being rather than objective numbers,” Dr. Miglinas stated. He emphasized that regular blood pressure monitoring should be as routine as brushing one’s teeth. Furthermore, the link between kidney health and blood pressure is critical; poorly controlled hypertension damages kidney vessels, which in turn further elevates blood pressure, often leading to a need for dialysis.
Future Outlook and Preventative Measures
The initiative’s steering group hopes to eventually involve 50% of all Lithuanian family doctors in the project. Beyond medication, the mission promotes essential lifestyle changes: reducing salt intake, increasing physical activity, managing weight, and ensuring 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
As the project rolls out, health officials are urging citizens to monitor their blood pressure at home, in pharmacies, or at the doctor’s office, aiming for a target result below 140/90 mmHg, with an optimal goal of 120-129/80 mmHg for those already undergoing treatment.
Original reporting by: elta
Source: ELTA
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