The NHS is offering free finger-prick blood tests on the high street for the first time ever, in a scheme designed to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths by a quarter over the next 10 years.
In 100 participating English pharmacies, people will be able to test for cholesterol in just seven minutes. The initiative was announced during the European Society of Cardiology's annual congress, the world's largest heart conference.
Who is eligible for the scheme?
Those aged 40 to 84, who are not pregnant and haven't had a blood test in the past year, will be eligible to walk into a pharmacy and be tested. Blood will be taken from the fingertip using a lancet, and patients will receive a copy of their results via email.
David Webb, the chief pharmaceutical officer for England, said high street pharmacies could be a vital first line of defence against heart disease and strokes.
He said: "By making it easier for people to get a quick and convenient cholesterol health check on their local high street, we can spot ticking timebombs earlier, helping people take action, and prevent heart attacks and strokes before they happen.
"This is the latest in a series of initiatives involving pharmacies in delivering care previously only offered in GP surgeries as part of the 10-year health plan to bring care closer to where people live."
Pilot success in London
The launch of the scheme this autumn follows a successful pilot test in London by Barts Health NHS Trust, UCLPartners, and Heart UK. One in five patients (19%) were found to be at high risk of heart attack or stroke in the next decade.
Dr Sotiris Antoniou, the clinical lead for the scheme at Barts Health, said: "By scaling this approach across England, we can support pharmacists to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and, importantly, act on the results through timely advice and treatment.
"This has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities, particularly in communities where the burden of cardiovascular disease is greatest."
Government support for early detection
Alison McGovern, a health minister, said it was "exactly the type of innovation" she wanted to see across the NHS. "We're making it easier for people to spot potential problems earlier and take action to protect their health," she said.
"Early detection can help prevent serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, helping people stay healthier for longer while reducing pressure on NHS services."
