A Conversation with Hans van Laarhoven 

If anyone is active in the field of cardiovascular disease, it is Hans van Laarhoven. He was director of the Bloedlink foundation, which eventually merged into the Hart&Vaatgroep, now Harteraad. Hans has been working as an independent healthcare consultant for several years and is now chairman of the supervisory board of LEEFH. A task he takes on with enthusiasm. 

The disappearance of STOEH (Foundation for the Detection of Hereditary Hypercholesterolemia) in 2014 was particularly unfortunate. It was an extremely successful way to detect people with FH. It proved to work and became increasingly cheaper. The costs associated with detection and treatment were very low. It was therefore a huge disappointment that STOEH had to stop, and it has had an impact on the number of people with FH who have been detected. There was no longer an active approach. Most people with FH now inform their families themselves, but this does not always happen. The elegant program we had is gone. With the efforts of LEEFH and the LEEFH centers, we are now on our way to a good alternative, because the need for early detection and treatment of FH remains as great as ever.

Hans van Laarhoven realizes that it can be very stressful for people with FH to tell their family that the hereditary disorder FH has been found. "It's easier to have a professional deliver that message," says van Laarhoven. LEEFH is now working hard to find people with FH and their family members. Last year, 760 patients were found, and the goal is to increase that number to 1,700. LEEFH is doing this by expanding its network, and to this end, 27 LEEFH centers have already been established throughout the Netherlands. However, we are still dependent on FH patients to tell their families. Fortunately, there is a new law that allows practitioners to be more proactive. 

Captivated by FH
Van Laarhoven says he is captivated by Familial Hypercholesterolemia. "There are so many untreated people out there, while it's 'up for grabs' to prevent people from becoming seriously ill. Even children with FH can be treated early and safely. Of course, it's not pleasant, but if you start early, you can have the same life expectancy as the rest of the population!"

population screening"It was a financial and political decision to discontinue the population screening," says Van Laarhoven. "But we continue to advocate for the screening to be reinstated. As LEEFH, we must fight for this, because the power of population screening remains as strong as ever. Although this is perfectly clear, it is not something that can be arranged overnight. 

Take matters into your own hands and do it yourself.

Drive
Hans van Laarhoven is a driven man. That is evident in everything he does. The way he talks about his work, his commitment to patients, and his efforts to bring back population screening. "I have been working in healthcare for forty years," explains Van Laarhoven. My drive is and always has been to provide people with accurate information so that they know what they are talking about and can make decisions based on their wishes and abilities. People need to be well-informed so that they can engage in dialogue with healthcare providers on an equal footing. I have worked as an advocate for twenty years. Patient involvement is still far too low. I enjoy working on this. I am pleased that LEEFH is working to get the most out of it. We support hospitals and develop new tools. I want to be where people with FH are. There are many ways to reach people and inform them. I also think it is important that general practitioners properly inform people with high cholesterol and a family history of cardiovascular disease. Sometimes GPs just advise people to eat healthier. That's fine, but it's almost never enough for patients with FH! The cause of FH isn't lifestyle, and neither is the solution.

Hans van Laarhoven concludes with his heartfelt plea: "People, take matters into your own hands and get involved. There is plenty of help and information available. Take care of yourself and your family."

Text: Aefke ten Hagen
Image: Private collection of Hans van Laarhoven