People in Scotland are to be offered new heart and lung MOT style checks designed to identify the warning signs of serious illness before conditions develop or become worse.
The Healthy Heart and Lung Checks are being launched by the Scottish Government with Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, with the programme beginning in Tayside, Glasgow and Grampian before being developed and extended over the next five years.
People taking part will receive a series of straightforward health checks including blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, pulse and BMI measurements alongside an assessment of their lifestyle.
The results will then be used to provide individual advice and support, with the intention of identifying potential cardiovascular and respiratory problems earlier and helping people make practical changes to protect their health.
The programme will particularly target people and communities more likely to experience poorer health outcomes and who may be less likely to access traditional health services.
Around one in five people in Scotland are currently living with a chest, heart or stroke condition, according to Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney said:
“We know illnesses related to heart and lung issues affect too many families in Scotland.
“As our population ages and our healthcare system faces growing pressure, proactive measures to keep people healthier are more important than ever.
“These Healthy Heart and Lung Checks will not only help identify people at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions at an earlier stage but will also empower people to make better, more informed decisions about their health in a way which works for them.
“They will also help reach people who might not otherwise come forward, particularly in more disadvantaged communities where the burden of ill health is greatest.”
The programme forms part of a five year partnership between the Scottish Government and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, with indicative investment of £3 million.
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland Chief Executive Jane-Claire Judson said:
“Around one in five people in Scotland are living with a chest, heart or stroke condition, and we know that too many opportunities to prevent serious illness are missed because risks are identified too late.
“Our CHSS Health Defence Hubs are designed to take prevention directly into communities, helping people understand their health, identify risks earlier and access the support they need before life-changing conditions develop or worsen.
“We know that people experiencing the greatest barriers to good health are often the least likely to access traditional services.”
The approach is based on a simple principle that has long made sense in almost every other part of life.
Finding a problem early usually gives you a better chance of doing something about it.
For Scotland’s health service, catching more heart and lung problems before they become serious could also mean treating people earlier rather than waiting until they require more complex hospital care.
