4th April 2008

A national programme to identify vulnerability to vascular diseases will prevent up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes every year and save 2,000 lives, has been announced by UK Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

Collectively, vascular diseases - heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease - affect the lives of more than four million people and kill 170,000 every year. They also account for more than half the mortality gap between rich and poor.

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.

Alan Johnson said: "As we look to the future of the NHS in its 60th anniversary year, our vision is to create a modern service that meets the unique challenges of today's society.

"The case for a national programme of vascular checks is compelling. We could prevent 9,500 heart attacks and strokes every year and save 2,000 lives. It would also reduce the health inequalities that blight the lives of the country's most deprived families.

"The NHS is becoming more personal and responsive to individual needs; becoming as good at prevention and keeping people healthy as it is at providing care and cures; and able to offer the information and support people need to make healthy choices.

"This is an NHS that is properly equipped to face the challenges of the next 60 years.

We are today setting out our evidence for a national vascular check programme in Putting Prevention First. Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 will be entitled to the checks. "

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.

Associate Chief Medical Officer Bill Kirkup said: "We aim to make vascular checks to be available in a variety of convenient places. These could include GP surgeries, pharmacies or other community settings. This programme can make a major contribution to preventing early death and disability, and it is vital that it reaches as many people as possible.

"We are also determined to tackle the inequalities in health, and vascular diseases are the main cause. All too often, people with the worst health have the poorest access to GPs. We want a system that will encourage them to take part, and help to reduce the health gap between rich and poor."

Use to send this story to a colleague or to add it to your social web.

Subscribe to the Wireless Healthcare free weekly newsletter