The Background and Work of SHARP: Past and Present
14 October 2024
Published
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Founded on December 9th, 1988, at a time when Scotland faced one of the highest rates of heart disease in the world, the Scottish Heart & Arterial Disease Risk Prevention (SHARP) emerged as a pivotal organisation in the fight against cardiovascular disease. Spearheaded by a coalition of Scottish leaders and healthcare specialists, SHARP aimed to transform Scotland into a heart-healthy nation by tackling the alarming rates of premature illness and death caused by heart disease.
The Early Years: Mobilising for Change
From its inception, SHARP focused on reducing the devastating impact of cardiovascular conditions through research, education, and community engagement. One of its most notable initiatives was the launch of the SHARP Bus in 1991 by the then Scottish Health Minister Michael Forsyth. This bright red double-decker bus travelled across Scotland for five years, offering risk factor screening and counselling directly to workers at their places of employment. It visited 780 sites, screening over 19,400 individuals aged 18 to 70, and providing invaluable data for further research.
The government aim was to decrease premature deaths from coronary heart disease by 25% by the year 2000, a goal that SHARP supported through heightened awareness of risk factors in the working population. This initiative not only identified risk factors but also engaged communities in proactive health measures.
Notable contributions include the analysis of data from the SHARP Bus, which has led to the publication of five papers relating to cardiovascular risk screening and risk factors in Scotland. The organization remains committed to funding vital research, having invested significantly in recent years to tackle the ongoing challenges posed by heart disease.
Educational Resources
Central to SHARP’s mission was the development of educational resources aimed at both healthcare professionals and the general public. One significant contribution was the "Heart Pack," created in collaboration with the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland. This comprehensive resource assisted local health teams in implementing prevention strategies based on best practice for managing cardiovascular risk. It included guidance on managing excess weight, high blood pressure, and smoking cessation, alongside a short video that illustrated the transformative potential of proactive care in primary health settings.
In addition, the "Eating for Life" initiative, presented by broadcaster Lorraine Kelly, further promoted healthy eating habits through accessible video content that provided practical dietary advice for individuals and families. This programme reached not only the general public but it was integrated into the education curriculum, reinforcing the importance of nutrition in schools across Scotland.
At present, we are focused on supporting learning; SHARP delivers cardiovascular webinars throughout the year, facilitating education via various platforms. Recordings from our Annual Meeting are also made available on our website post-events, ensuring that vital information and insights are accessible to all. Looking ahead, we will focus on the production of more public-focused materials in the near future.
Conferences and Research Initiatives
SHARP has funded and promoted research into other aspects and components of heart disease prevention. One project explored the implementation of health promotion including the classification of blood pressure and the criteria chosen to set hypertension as a problem within Scottish general practices. In 1993 new regulations relating to health promotion in general practice were introduced. SHARP supported research into the effect of these regulations and their implementation into Scottish general practice.
Over the years, SHARP has prioritised ongoing education for healthcare professionals, holding numerous national and local meetings that focus on various aspects of cardiovascular health. These gatherings have fostered collaboration among a diverse range of experts, including GPs, nurses, cardiologists, pharmacist and dietitians, all united in the mission to enhance the prevention and management of heart disease. This ensures that the latest evidence-based practices are disseminated widely.
SHARP funds research via the National Project Grant (up to £50K) and by providing a Summer Studentship (up to £1,600). This results in clinically meaningful research that will benefit the people of Scotland, expands our educational activities to physicians, AHPs (Allied Health professionals) and patients, whilst also raising the profile of SHARP.
Working with the community
We collaborate with local schools and community organisations, offering workshops and online virtual awareness sessions aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular disease, enhancing community engagement and education on these critical health issues.
Furthermore, we are proud to have a patient representative on our Board of Trustees, ensuring that the voices of those affected by cardiovascular disease are heard and considered in our initiatives.
Current Challenges and Future Directions
Despite the progress made since SHARP’s founding, heart disease remains a significant public health issue in Scotland. Recent statistics reveal that while the death rate has declined, cardiovascular disease still accounts for 28% of all deaths in the country1. Concerning trends in lifestyle factors - such as high rates of obesity, smoking, and inadequate physical activity- indicate that there is still much work to be done.
SHARP continues to address these challenges by focusing on prevention and education, with a particular emphasis on the needs of at-risk populations. With approximately 30% of adults having high blood pressure and 330,000 people living with diabetes - who are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease - SHARP's mission is as vital as ever1.
Conclusion
As SHARP reflects on its 30+ years of impactful work, the organisation stands as a beacon of hope in Scotland's fight against heart disease. With ongoing research initiatives, comprehensive educational resources, and a commitment to community engagement, SHARP is well-positioned to continue its critical mission of promoting heart health and reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Scotland. The journey may be long, but SHARP remains resolute in its vision of a healthier, heart-healthy Scotland for all.
1 Data source: British Heart Foundation Scotland Factsheet, September 2024. Accessible at www.bhf.org