Cardiovascular health

Identifying medical conditions can significantly improve your health. High blood pressure (BP), atrial fibrillation (AF), and high cholesterol can be managed with the help of your GP.

'How's your heart' checks have been designed as a quick and easy way for you to check on your wellbeing without scheduling a visit to the doctor (information recorded at 'How's your heart' events may be shared with GPs to help manage test outcomes).

High blood pressure is the number one risk factor of cardiovascular disease and cases are rising.

More than 30% of people with high blood pressure don’t know they have the condition.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often faster than normal heartbeat which is a risk factor for stroke. AF can often be picked up when you have your blood pressure taken.

To help improve the health of residents and identify people with these conditions who aren’t aware, the Active North Tyneside team offers quick, free and painless blood pressure and AF checks at various venues in North Tyneside, without the need for an appointment.

The next 'How's your heart?' events for BP and AF are taking place on:​

• Tuesday 17 September, 11am-2pm at The Oxford Centre
• Friday 27 September, 11am-2pm at the White Swan Centre
• Thursday 3 October, 11am-2pm at John Willie Sams

Exclusion criteria (such as an existing medical condition or being on some medications) applies. If you are registered at any of the following GP practices you are not eligible for a BP/AF health check at 'How's your heart' events: Lane End Surgery, Mallard Medical Practice, Northumberland Park Medical Group, Stephenson Park Health Group (Forest Hall Health Centre, White Swan Surgery), Swarland Avenue Surgery, Wellspring Medical Practice, West Farm Surgery, Wideopen Medical Centre, Woodlands Park Medical Centre. If you are not eligible, you can access testing at some local pharmacies (details below).

High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood. Too much cholesterol can block your blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart problems or stroke.

Typically there are no symptoms. You can check your levels with a blood test or a finger prick test. It’s possible to lower your cholesterol through lifestyle changes, such as eating healthily and becoming more active, but some people may need to take medication.

The Active North Tyneside team offers a free simple finger prick test at various venues in North Tyneside, without the need for an appointment. One small drop of blood can provide a result in as little as seven minutes and will help you to understand:

• Total cholesterol levels
• HDL (good) cholesterol
• Non-HDL or LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Your heart age
• Your 10 year risk of cardiovascular disease

The next 'How's your heart?' events for cholesterol will take place on:​

• Wednesday 9 October, 11am-2pm at Cullercoats Watch House
• Wednesday 16 October, 11m-2pm at Cedarwood (North Shields)
• Wednesday 23 October, 10am-1pm at North Bank Café (North Shields)

Exclusion criteria (such as an existing medical condition or already being on some cholesterol medications such as statins) applies.