NHS health checks in England have prevented 2,500 heart attacks and strokes in the first five years, according to an evaluation led by Queen Mary University, London.

Those from the most deprived areas and black and minority ethnic groups, who are at greatest risk of cardiovascular disease, were more likely to attend for a health check. The programme is also helping diagnose conditions commonly linked to cardiovascular disease, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease.

The evaluation was based on data from 655 GP practices, which have 1.7 million people eligible for a health check. In addition to the 2,500 people avoiding a major cardiovascular incident, the programme has also successfully identified:

• A new case of hypertension in every 27 appointments
• A new case of diabetes in every 110 appointments
• A new case of chronic kidney disease in every 265 appointments.

Fourteen per cent of attendees were referred for lifestyle interventions due to obesity, smoking, alcohol or blood pressure compared to just 6 per cent of those who were referred through standard care.

Health checks have enjoyed a “modest but successful” start

 

“The health check programme is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and our study demonstrates a modest but successful start,” says study lead Dr John Robson. “We estimate that the programme could help identify 44,000 new cases of hypertension, 10,000 new cases of diabetes and 4,500 new cases of kidney disease in England every year.

“Uptake of the programme during the study period showed year-on-year improvement, but much still needs to be done as there is considerable scope for even better coverage.”

Only around half of people (48 per cent) who are offered a health check, which can also be provided from community pharmacies, currently take it up. Evidence suggests the programme is most effective at targeting the older end of the eligible population (those aged over 60 years) and that more work is needed to encourage uptake among the younger age group (40-60).

Commenting on the study, Louise Ansari, director of prevention of type 2 diabetes at Diabetes UK, said health checks can help in the diagnosis of the hundreds of thousands of people who are walking around with type 2 diabetes but don’t realise they have it.

Health checks have enjoyed a modest but successful start