Kent County Council
Thousands of Kent residents are in for a treat – free Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) health checks right at their workplace!
Thanks to a whopping £195,000 government grant, Kent County Council (KCC) is rolling out a national scheme to bring these vital checks directly to those most at risk. CVD, which affects the heart and blood vessels, is the top killer in England, but guess what? A staggering 80% of it is preventable!
Starting this September, the £7 million Workplace Cardiovascular Disease Health Check Pilot will kick off in 48 local authority areas across England, including Kent. From builders to bartenders, and drivers to caregivers, businesses of all sizes are jumping on board.
The goal is to give over 130,000 people aged 40 to 74, including 3,800 in Kent, easy access to checks for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, and even some types of dementia. Participants will get their blood pressure checked, a simple blood test for cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and measurements of height, weight, and waist.
If any red flags pop up, they’ll get the help they need to take action and reduce their risk. Lifestyle choices like smoking, diet, fitness, and alcohol consumption all play a role in serious diseases like CVD.
Why now?
Because people are having CVD events younger than ever. Shockingly, 1 in 3 heart attacks and 1 in 4 strokes happen to working-age folks, and a third of stroke survivors can’t return to work.
Even though over 16 million people are eligible for an NHS Health Check every five years, only 40% take it up. These checks are crucial for catching problems early and preventing premature deaths.