Cholesterol Self-Monitoring a Candidate for Growth; New Survey by Greystone Associates Finds Demographics, Healthcare Initiatives Will Drive Shift to Home Testing.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

AMHERST, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2003

In spite of numerous healthcare initiatives, cardiovascular disease - including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke - continues to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in industrialized countries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, almost 13 million people suffer from CHD in the U.S. alone.

Current efforts to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease focus on the identification of genetic and environmental risk factors, patient education, and the monitoring of cholesterol levels. "The vast majority of cholesterol testing is now performed in physician offices or similar healthcare settings," explains George Perros, Greystone Associates Managing Director. "But this is going to change."

The convergence of new measurement technologies, patient demographics and managed care cost initiatives will drive cholesterol testing from caregiver facilities and into homes. These factors will transition cholesterol self-testing from a cottage industry into a significant market by the end of the decade.

The current market and future potential of cholesterol self-testing is the subject of a recent survey. The survey's findings are contained in a new and comprehensive report: Cholesterol Monitoring: Self-Testing Markets and Opportunities. "Advances in technology will be key," adds Perros. "The ability to provide accurate values for various classes of lipids that are associated with cardiovascular risk - and to present them to the patient in the proper context - will be essential to shifting cholesterol monitoring from the clinic to the home."

More information is available at www.greystoneassociates.org

About Greystone

Greystone Associates is a medical and healthcare technology consulting firm providing services in strategic planning, venture development, product commercialization, and technology assessment.