Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conditions such as dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke significantly contribute to this burden. Community pharmacists, as accessible healthcare professionals, play a vital role in health promotion and the management of modifiable risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia. However, in Pakistan—particularly in Lahore—limited data exists regarding the extent of pharmacists’ involvement in CVD-related health initiatives.The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of community pharmacists in Lahore in cardiovascular health promotion and to assess their roles in managing hypertension and dyslipidemia.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2024 using a self-structured questionnaire, validated by experts (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.7291). A total of 113 community pharmacists were selected through convenience sampling. The questionnaire comprised sections on demographics, participation in cardiovascular health promotion, and services related to hypertension and dyslipidemia care. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
RESULTS: Among the 113 participants, the majority (53.1%) were aged between 26 and 35 years, while only 2% were older than 45. Regarding cardiovascular health promotion, 61.1% of pharmacists consistently counseled patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and 43.4% regularly provided education on potential adverse drug reactions. However, only 22.1% of pharmacies offered diagnostic testing for dyslipidemia. The findings reflect a diverse level of engagement among pharmacists, highlighting their critical—but inconsistent—role in CVD prevention and management.
CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the important role community pharmacists in Lahore play in promoting cardiovascular health and managing hypertension and dyslipidemia. While most pharmacists demonstrated proactive behavior in patient counseling and health promotion, gaps remain in service provision, particularly regarding diagnostic testing. Strengthening pharmacists’ involvement through training and system-level support could enhance their impact in combating CVDs.