'GAME-CHANGER'
New £20 DIY health test could prevent 136,000 deaths a year – and it takes just 10 minutes
Read on for ways to lower risk of heart disease - and the numbers that are vital to your health
A NEW DIY health test costing just £19.99 could help catch killer heart disease in its tracks - and prevent up to 136,000 deaths a year.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one the leading causes of death in the UK, claiming 170,000 lives each year.
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But picking it up early through screening could prevent .
Now, an at-home heart health check available in hundreds of pharmacies could make detecting CVD early easier.
Costing just £20, the 'Healthy Heart Check' was launched online and in 700 Well pharmacies.
Heart and circulatory disease tends to be spotted through blood pressure and cholesterol tests carried out by a GP, often as part of an NHS Health Check.
Read more on heart health
It may also require checks like a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram or MRI.
The DIY test - made by digital health diagnostics company - provides users with a full cholesterol profile, body mass index (BMI) score, heart age, and a 10-year risk assessment for heart attacks and strokes, using only a small blood sample from a finger prick.
According to PocDoc, it can "dramatically reduce the time it typically takes to arrange, undertake, and receive outcomes from a standard blood test", providing "instant results".
Cardiovascular disease includes conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, also known as coronary heart disease.
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This can heighten your risk of heart attack, angina and some strokes, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Taking the test involves downloading the PocDoc app before collecting a small blood sample, dropping it into the test kit and waiting seven minutes.
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After that, all you need to do is to take a photo of the reading with your phone and load it onto the app.
Results are processed within 10 minutes.
After that, you can share any issues picked up during the test directly with a GP via the NHS app.
Steve Roest, CEO and co-founder of PocDoc, said: “CVD is the UK’s biggest killer, but prevention is the key to beating it.
"Our patented technology helps people detect issues earlier, faster, and with less hassle.
“Pharmacies like Well are vital to making health testing more accessible. They’re at the heart of communities, and this partnership ensures more people – especially those at greatest risk – can take charge of their heart health.”
Andrew Caplan, Chief Retail Officer at Well Pharmacy, commented: “We are always seeking innovative ways to support the communities we work in, and PocDoc’s Healthy Heart Check is a perfect example.
"It’s a game-changer, empowering people to take proactive steps to prevent serious conditions like cardiovascular disease."
How to reduce your risk of heart attacks and stroke
You can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke with many of the same methods.
Heart attacks and strokes, althouh affecting different organs of the body, are both what we call cardiovascular events.
Both arise from similar underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis —a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries.
According to the American Heart Association, the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes are largely the same: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and diabetes.
Therefore, addressing these risk factors can simultaneously reduce the risk of both conditions.
Here are ways you can prevent the two:
Healthy diet
- More fruit and veg: The DASH, which emphasises fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve heart health.
- Less fats: Too much saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Go for healthier fats like those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
- Limit salt: High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart attack and stroke. The NHS recommends no more than 6g of salt per day for adults.
- Fibre: Foods high in soluble fibre, such as oats and beans, can help lower cholesterol levels.
Exercise
Walking, running, cycling, swimming - whatever you like, do it!
Aerobic exercise can strengthen the heart and improve circulation.
The NHS advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
Strength training exercises can help control weight, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce blood pressure. It is recommended twice a week by the NHS.
Manage blood pressure
Healthy diet and exercise can help keep your blood pressure in check.
But it is worth monitoring it yourself after the age of 40, at least, when the NHS invites adults for a check-up every five years.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Quit smoking
One of the best ways to quit smoking is to use resources provided by NHS Smokefree. Support groups, medications, and other tools to help quit smoking such as vapes could be what you need to kick the habit for good - and it's free.
Limit booze
Excessive alcohol consumption can increase blood pressure and contribute to weight gain, which can snowball and become a heart health risk.
The NHS recommends not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week.
He added that Well looks forward to exploring further opportunities with Well in the future.
The exact cause of CVD isn't clear, but there are lots of things that can increase your risk of getting it.
This includes conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
When your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your blood vessels, while a buildup of fatty substances in the blood can cause vessels to narrow and increase the risk of developing a blood clot - which could lead to heart attacks or strokes.
Diabetes or kidney disease may also up your risk of developing CVD.
Not exercising regularly, being overweight or obese and smoking, eating unhealthily and drinking excessively can play a role too.
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If a parent or sibling had a heart attack or developed angina before the age of 60, your risk of developing CVD is increased.
The condition is also more common in people over the age of 50 - your risk of developing CVD tends to increase as you get older.
Know your numbers
When you think about numbers related to your health, your age, height or weight might come to mind.
Measurements that aren't visible to you can also be important indicators of your overall health.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, a GP and clinical director at patient.info, discussed seven important numbers and what they can reveal about your risk of disease.
They include:
- Your biological age
- Your BMI
- Your waist-to-hip ratio
- Your HbA1C
- Your blood pressure
- Your cholesterol level
- Your FRAX score
Read more about what these numbers mean and how you can measure them here.
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