Novartis champions cardiovascular health with Unblocked movement

The initiative aims to bring patients, their loved ones, healthcare professionals and healthcare systems together in a shared mission to “unblock” barriers to heart health and raise awareness of the importance of screening cholesterol to minimise the risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).   

CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives annually. It is also the number one cause of death in the Middle East and North Africa region, with leading risk factors like abnormal lipid levels being particularly prevalent across the population. To tackle this, Novartis initiated the Unblocked movement to transform how communities perceive heart health by addressing this critical issue through various activations and partnerships.

As part of the Unblocked movement, Novartis successfully conducted the internal Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMA) Unblocked Challenge in April 2023 and again in September 2023. In April, the challenge engaged Novartis associates in four weeks of consistent physical activity, encouraging them to be physically active and take simple steps to healthy living. In September, phase two of the challenge encouraged associates to check their cholesterol, understand their target LDL-C numbers and engage external stakeholders to raise awareness on heart health.

“Up to 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes can be prevented. This fact emphasises the potential for positive change. At Novartis, we are working towards a generational decline in death due to CVD in the decades to come. We envision a world where CVD is eliminated so patients can live longer and healthier lives,” said Mohamed Ezz Eldin, head of Gulf Countries, Innovative Medicines at Novartis. 

This ongoing initiative highlights the impact of CVDs on employers and stresses on importance of regular cholesterol screening to prevent CVD and encourages healthy living.