NHS Health Checks: presentations and feedback from NHS Health Check National Learning Network event, London, March 2012

Source: NHS Health Check 

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Date of publication: March 2012

Publication type: Presentations and associated resources

In a nutshell: A number of useful presentations including: ‘Management of people at high-risk of CVD’ and ‘Embedding the NHS Health Check programme within public health’.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the resources. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Cholesterol and a healthier nation: shared responsibility for better public health

Source: Heart UK

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Date of publication: 13 December 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: This report makes 8 recommendations to ensure adequate funding for NHS Trusts to implement fully the NHS Health Check programme in order to help prevent early death caused by high cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Length of publication: 24 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Why not screen for subclinical atherosclerosis?

Source: The Lancet, 2011, 378 (9792) p. 645-646

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Date of publication: August 2011

Publication type: Commentary

In a nutshell: Two clinicians recommend a change in practice for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. They propose that non-invasive tests for subclinical atherosclerosis should be implemented.

Length of publication: 2 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

NHS Health Checks Ready Reckoner correction

Source: NHS Health Check

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Date of publication: 12 April 2011

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: The original version of the NHS Health Checks Ready Reckoner was published online in March 2011, but a calculation error was subsequently discovered. This has now been corrected and a new version is available to download. Those who previously used the tool to produce estimates based on local population split by age and gender, need to re-run their calculations using the new version.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: NHS Improvement – Heart

NHS failing to screen for deadly heart condition

Source: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

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Date of publication: January 2011

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: 100.000 people are at risk of developing familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) as trusts fail to act on NICE guidelines which call for early diagnosis. A UK-wide audit found that very few families were systematically genetically screened for the inherited condition.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

iPlato supports Birmingham health checks

Source: E-Health Insider Primary Care

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Date of publication: 18th June 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: 24 GP practices in Birmingham have been using text messaging to invite patients to attend for their NHS Health Check. A 44% success rate has been achieved so far from 1850 referrals.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

New guidelines propose regular heart checks for all Scots over 40

Source: Herald Scotland, 29th April 2010

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Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Guidelines launched in Scotland last month specify that all patients aged 40 and over should be invited to have their blood pressure tested every five years. The standards also state that GPs should check whether their patients are smokers every two years. The manadatory guidelines focus on preventing heart disease, but patients who have developed heart disease will also be given a variety of options to help improve their health under the new standard of care.

Length of publication: 1 webpage

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: National Heart Forum

Evaluation of a cardiovascular disease opportunistic risk assessment pilot (‘Heart MOT’ service)

Source: Journal of Public Health, 2010, 32 (1) p. 110-116

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Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study evaluated a pilot scheme for a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment service in 23 community pharmacies in a UK urban setting. The pilot demonstrated that community pharmacies can support GP practices by providing a service which encourages uptake from males, Black and Asian communities and deprived communities.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Oxford Journals

Estimating the population impact of screening strategies for identifying and treating people at high risk of cardiovascular disease

Source: BMJ, 25 April 2010, 340 (232), c1693

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Date of publication: 25 April 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Modelling study conducted by the MRC Epidemiology Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital, and the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at Cambridge University.  Compares the cost and likely effectiveness of the current national screening strategy for all 40 – 74 year olds, with a screening programme concentrating on identified likely high risk individuals.

Length of publication: 11 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: BBC News 25 April 2010

Comparison of mass and targeted screening strategies for cardiovascular risk

Source: Heart, 2010, 96 (3), p. 208-212

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Date of publication: February, 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The Scottish Health Survey provided data on 3921 asymtomatic individuals between 40 and 74 years old. Five screening strategies were evaluated for their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in cardiovascular primary prevention. It was found that targeted screening was less costly than mass screening, and could identify up to 84% of high-risk individuals.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Delivering the NHS health check: a practical guide to point-of-care testing

Source: NHS Improvement: heart

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Date of publication: 2009

Publication type: Best practice

In a nutshell: A practical guide, covering the pros and cons of using point-of-care testing (POCT), the issues and challenges, along with possible solutions. Includes useful case studies from PCTs around the UK.

Length of publication: 20 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement:  Heart Improvement e-bulletin 16 November 2009

Strategies to screen and reduce vascular risk

Source: Heart Online First, 26 October 2009

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Date of publication: October, 2009

Publication type: Editorial

In a nutshell: This editorial compares mass and targeted screening strategies, and argues that population-wide health protection measures need supplementation with targeted screening programmes for those at particular risk.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: You will need an NHS Athens username and password to access this article. Please contact your local NHS library if you cannot access the full text. Follow this link to find your local NHS library.

Acknowledgement: Heart and Education in Heart