Life-saving heart checks reach over 1,300 people across North East and North Cumbria
More than 1,300 people from communities across the North East and North Cumbria have now benefited from life-saving Healthy Heart Checks, thanks to a programme designed to tackle cardiovascular disease (CVD) – often known as the “silent killer.”
Funded through the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) Healthier & Fairer Programme, the initiative builds on earlier pilot work in Middlesbrough, where more than 500 people from Black-African, South Asian, and underserved indigenous communities were offered heart checks.
Alarmingly, over 60% of those tested in the pilot were found to have abnormal results, and 30% were referred to their GP for follow-up treatment. Similarly, 30% of those screened in the most recent round of testing have been referred to their GP.
Tracy Marshall, Programme Manager for HI NENC, said: “Reaching 1,300 checks is a fantastic milestone, but what matters most is the impact for individuals and families.
“Many people we’ve seen would not otherwise have had their heart health assessed, and in some cases, we’ve been able to identify risks early enough to make a real difference to their future health.”
The Healthy Heart Checks take approximately 20 minutes and involve a simple set of tests, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body mass index, and advice on healthy lifestyle changes.
Using the innovative PocDoc Lipid Test, a quick finger-prick blood test providing immediate cholesterol results, people receive an on-the-spot assessment of their cardiovascular risk.
If abnormal readings are identified, individuals are offered lifestyle advice and referred to their GP for further investigation or treatment, such as cholesterol-lowering medication.
Community delivery has proven vital in areas like Middlesbrough, which has the highest mortality rate for cardiovascular disease in the North East, with more than one in five deaths linked to the condition.
By making checks accessible in trusted community spaces, from the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation Health Bus to fairs and community events, the programme is reaching people who may not normally attend an NHS Health Check at their GP surgery.
Dr Saira Malik, GP and Clinical Lead for Cardiovascular Disease, North East and North Cumbria ICB, said: “Cardiovascular illness rates in our region are higher than the England average, which is why it’s so important to make it easier and more accessible for people in our communities to take that crucial step towards better heart health.
“As part of the ICB’s commitment to helping people live longer, healthier lives, we are working in partnership with HI NENC on the Healthy Heart Checks project.
“Together, we’re reducing cardiovascular disease by breaking down barriers in areas of deprivation and empowering underserved communities to take control of their health.
“By delivering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar monitoring in everyday community settings, we can spot problems early, provide the right support, and address wider risk factors such as lifestyle, weight, and smoking.
“In doing so, we can reduce health inequalities and build stronger heart health through community-based care.”
Professor Julia Newton, Medical Director for HI NENC, added: “We know cardiovascular disease doesn’t always present symptoms until it’s too late, which is why it’s often called the ‘silent killer’.
“These checks are about breaking down barriers to access and helping people take control of their health before problems escalate.”
The programme will continue to run until September 2026, with a focus on ensuring people in underserved communities have the same opportunities to protect their heart health as anyone else.
With more than 1,300 Healthy Heart Checks already delivered, the initiative is being hailed as a major step towards reducing health inequalities and saving lives across the region. The North East and North Cumbria team are looking to also trial an innovative diabetes health check in the coming months.