Treatment

Managing cardiovascular disease

With early and accurate diagnosis, current treatments can relieve the symptoms of cardiovascular disease, slow its progression and improve survival.

Doctors use a wide range of treatments and techniques to tackle cardiovascular disease and they vary according to individual conditions. Some people need surgical intervention whilst others are prescribed medicines to control high blood pressure or lower cholesterol. 

Many people who have cardiovascular disease may be prescribed a medicine called an anticoagulant. These inhibit the production of vitamin K in the liver, increasing the time it takes the blood to clot and thereby reducing the risk of clots forming.

There are additional factors that need to be taken into consideration whilst a person is being treated, such as diet, stress, illness and other drugs. Regular testing is therefore essential to reduce the risk of complications such as clots or bleeding.

The testing aims at measuring two elements - Prothrombin Time (PT) or International Normalised Ratio (INR). Traditionally, people had to have blood samples taken at a doctor's office or clinic and wait some time for the results. Today, there are quicker, easier and more convenient options. 

More and more people with cardiovascular disease are now monitoring their medication themselves. Self-monitoring makes regular testing easier, gives people more independence and involves them in their own health management, in collaboration with their doctor. 

Roche’s diagnostics team works closely with healthcare practitioners to ensure people have access to the most appropriate monitoring systems and devices. We would like to see everyone who could appropriately benefit from self-monitoring to be able to do so.