Covid-19 vaccination sites are offering eligible patients atrial fibrillation (AF) and blood pressure (BP) screenings under a new pilot scheme.
Launched in the Surrey and Heartlands ICB footprint in November, the pilot will see four local vaccination sites offer BP screenings to up to 26,000 people and AF screenings for up to 6,000.
Patients over 40 can access the BP screening service, with those over 65 also eligible for an AF check, as part of an effort to bring screenings into community settings.
The results from the screening will be shared with the patient on-site, and also with their GP, the ICB said.
It added that the BP and AF pilot is effectively an initial screening and not a formal diagnosis of high or low blood pressure or if AF has been detected, but will engage patients in their own health and wellbeing.
Dr Vishal Sagar, the ICS’ joint cardiovascular disease clinical network lead, said: ‘It is estimated that 142,700 people are living with hypertension in the Surrey Heartlands region, and an estimated 5,092 patients with undetected atrial fibrillation, with many people unaware they may have an issue.
‘By providing accessible BP/AF intervention screening it is hoped that we can begin to reduce these numbers and lower the risk of associated cardiovascular health problems across our region.’
The four vaccination centres are Artington Mass Vaccination Centre, Emberbrook Centre for Health, Nescot College and Chertsey Hall.
