A national programme has been launched by the Department of Health to identify vulnerability to vascular diseases. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 will be entitled to the checks, which are expected to prevent up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes every year.
Initial results from modelling work carried out by the Department shows that a vascular check programme would prevent 4,000 people a year from developing diabetes. It could also detect at least 25,000 cases of diabetes or kidney disease earlier, allowing cases to be better managed and improving outcomes.
The checks would be based on straightforward questions and measurements such as age, sex, family history, height, weight and blood pressure. They would also include a simple blood test to measure cholesterol.
Everyone would receive a personal assessment report, setting out not only the person's level of risk, but exactly what they could do to reduce it. For those at low risk, this might be no more than general advice on how best to stay healthy. Others may be assisted to join a weight management programme or a stop smoking service. Those at the highest risk might also require preventative medication with statins or blood pressure treatment.
