NHS to offer free high-street cholesterol tests in England
Summary
The NHS in England will offer free, quick cholesterol tests at pharmacies to help reduce heart disease and stroke deaths. People aged 40 to 84 can get a finger-prick blood test, receive advice, and get treatment if needed, aiming to catch health risks early.Key Facts
- The tests take about seven minutes and will be available at participating pharmacies.
- People aged 40-84 who have not had a blood test in the past year can walk in to get tested.
- The test uses a lancet to take a small blood sample from the fingertip and gives immediate analysis.
- Pharmacists can offer lifestyle advice and prescribe treatments like statins if needed.
- Patients receive their test results by email and can also get a blood pressure check.
- The program began after a successful pilot in north London where 19% of patients tested were at high risk of heart attack or stroke.
- About 100 NHS pharmacies will start offering the tests from autumn in the first phase of the national rollout.
- The goal is to reduce heart disease and stroke deaths by 25% over the next ten years.
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