The importance of regular heart health checks

This World Heart Day, the focus is on calling on governments around the world to put an action plan in place to defeat cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide and the second most common cause in the UK.

Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has previously pledged to reduce deaths from heart attack and stroke by 25% over the next decade. Measures include a ban on junk food adverts before the 9pm watershed, ‘game-changing’ medical science and technology, and a focus on prevention.

As one of the new Government’s first actions, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that life-saving health checks will be rolled out to workplaces across the country, benefitting more than 100,000 people.

The NHS Health Check will be completed quickly and easily by employees at work. It records a range of information that can be used to determine their cardiovascular risk.

Over 16 million people are currently eligible for an NHS Health Check, but only around 40% of those invited went on to complete one, and this is especially true for men. This new programme aims to make it more convenient for people to understand and improve their cardiovascular health.

Why are regular heart check-ups so important?

A heart check-up at GP London W1 includes routine assessments such as blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) and additional diagnostic tests such as stress tests, electrocardiography (ECG), and echocardiography. Cardiovascular screening is offered as part of our Well Woman and Well Man health checks.

They address underlying health concerns such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or abnormal heart rhythms. An assessment will take into account individual risk factors such as obesity or smoking, or a family history of heart disease. Our doctors can then deliver early, proactive intervention in the form of lifestyle modifications and managing stress

Benefits of a regular heart health check

Even if you do not have any symptoms or concerns about potential heart problems, there are benefits to regular heart check-ups:

• Detect existing conditions early: many CVD diseases and related conditions are ‘silent’ with no identifiable symptoms initially so screening can help spot issues early.
• Reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill: early intervention provides the best opportunity for a successful outcome.
• Improve overall health: CVD means you are at higher risk of heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and even kidney damage.
• Feel in control: being proactive means you can start to build a picture of your health and ease worries both now and in the future.
• A reason to make significant lifestyle changes: regular screening can highlight the lifestyle factors that are putting you at risk of CVD and other serious health concerns.

To arrange a Well Woman or Well Man screening, call +44 (0)20 4580 1152 or email [email protected] to arrange an appointment.