Lithuania has launched a major national health initiative, “Mission 75/28,” aimed at tackling a cardiovascular crisis that currently affects more than half of the country’s adult population. The inter-institutional project, spearheaded by the Lithuanian Society of Hypertension and the Lithuanian Society of Cardiologists, seeks to prevent up to 28,000 premature deaths by 2028 through improved blood pressure control and pharmaceutical compliance.
According to the latest health data, 54% of Lithuanians aged 30 to 79 suffer from high blood pressure. This prevalence places Lithuania in the highest-risk zone for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Europe. Health officials warn that without intervention, the country remains in the “dark red” region of European mortality maps, where CVD-related deaths exceed 600 per 100,000 inhabitants.
A Strategic Response to a National Crisis
The “Mission 75/28” initiative is designed to strengthen the prevention of myocardial infarction, heart failure, strokes, and kidney disease. The primary objective is to ensure that 75% of patients treated at participating medical institutions achieve stable blood pressure control by the year 2028. Currently, data from early participants like the Šeškinė Polyclinic suggests that while 60% of diagnosed patients have their condition under control, 40% remain at high risk of sudden cardiac events.
Dr. Tomas Lapinskas, President of the Lithuanian Society of Cardiologists, emphasized 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 morbidity and mortality rates for heart-related illnesses on the continent. The project aims to mobilize up to 50% of the country’s family doctors to implement more rigorous case management and standardized treatment protocols.
The Silent Threat to Kidney Health
A critical component of the mission is highlighting the link between hypertension and renal failure. Dr. Marius Miglinas, a nephrologist and one of the project’s initiators, described arterial hypertension as a “silent killer” because it often operates without obvious symptoms until a major complication occurs.
“People still tend to trust their subjective well-being rather than objective numbers,” Dr. Miglinas explained. “However, feeling good and having normal blood pressure are not the same thing.” He noted that hypertensive nephropathy is a leading cause of patients requiring dialysis, as poorly controlled pressure damages the blood vessels in the kidneys, which in turn further elevates blood pressure in a dangerous cycle.
Shifting the Treatment Paradigm
The strategy focuses on two main pillars: the use of single-pill combinations and the normalization of home monitoring. Medical experts argue that simplifying treatment regimens—moving from multiple daily medications to a single combined tablet—significantly improves patient adherence to the prescribed therapy.
Dr. Jolita Badarienė, head of Preventive Cardiology at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, stressed that consistent monitoring is essential. The mission encourages citizens to view blood pressure measurement as a daily habit, similar to brushing one’s teeth. The target for most adults is a reading below 140/90 mmHg, with an optimal goal of 120–129/80 mmHg for those at higher risk.
Beyond medication, the initiative promotes lifestyle adjustments, including reduced salt intake, increased physical activity, and ensuring 7–8 hours of sleep. As the project expands from its initial eight medical centers to a nationwide network, health officials hope to fundamentally change the public narrative surrounding hypertension from one of passive acceptance to active, data-driven management.
Original reporting by: elta
Source: ELTA
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