All over-40s in England to get vascular screening
Published: 24 April 2008
A national programme of vascular screening will prevent up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes, and save 2,000 lives a year, according to the Department of Health.
In the latest in a series of reforms designed to fulfil the Prime Minister's promise of a more personalised NHS, everyone in England between 40 and 74 is to be offered a health check every five years to screen for the risk of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.
In addition to its impact on heart attacks and stroke, initial results from modelling work suggests a vascular check programme would prevent 4,000 people a year from developing diabetes. It could also enable earlier detection of at least 25,000 cases of diabetes or kidney disease, allowing cases to be better managed and improving outcomes.
The Department of Health wants stakeholders to help develop the approach to implementation and delivery over the next few months.
Putting prevention first – vascular checks: risk assessment and management (PDF, 226KB) [How to access PDF files].