Stoke-on-Trent City Council welcomes government pilot to help reduce heart disease

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is delighted to have been chosen to take part in a new Government backed NHS health initiative pilot that aims to cut the number of heart disease cases in the city and support local people to remain in work, linking to the council’s strategy to ensure that we have a fair and inclusive local economy.

The pilot will be an addition to the existing NHS Health Check programme in the city, which is currently commissioned by the city council and delivered by GP practices, with eligible people invited to have a check once every five years.

The NHS Health Check aims to prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, and some cases of dementia among adults aged 40-74 years. Nationally each year the programme engages over 1.3 million people and prevents over 400 heart attacks or strokes.

The pilot will involve delivering NHS Health Checks in workplace settings around Stoke-on-Trent, targeting employees working in routine and manual occupations in small, medium and large workplaces, who may not have had a NHS Health Check in the past.

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: “I am thrilled that Stoke-on-Trent has been chosen to take part in this health initiative.

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to premature mortality and years of life spent living with a disability in Stoke-on-Trent. Preventing it is essential not only to help reduce deaths, but also to ensure people stay healthy at work and reduce rising economic inactivity.

“Addressing these health inequalities through the identification of CVD is a key priority for Stoke-on-Trent and by taking part in this initiative, we can prevent more cases of heart disease.

“I urge anybody who is eligible to take advantage of this initiative and get tested.”

CVD is a leading cause of death and disability in England, accounting for 24% of deaths in England across all ages in 2022 and is estimated to cost the UK economy £25 billion each year, despite the fact that 80% of CVD is preventable.

There is a downward trend in the age that people are having CVD events, affecting the working population. Around 1 in 3 people who have a heart attack and 1 in 4 strokes are in people of working age, with a third of stroke survivors not returning to work afterwards.

In Stoke-on-Trent, as of 2022, 115.8 people per 100,000 died before the age of 75 as a result of circulatory diseases, which is significantly higher than the national average of 77.8 people per 100,000.

Also, as of 2022/23,16.7% of the local population in Stoke-on-Trent have been diagnosed with hypertension, which again is 2.3% higher than the national average.

This scheme will help people to lead healthier lives and prevent CVD, whilst also ensuring we have an inclusive and fair local economy. Therefore, it is vital that people who are eligible get tested.