All clear for early diagnosis project after successful pilot

A new project to help identify people with undiagnosed high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes has been given the green light in Guernsey after a successful pilot.

265 islanders attended free appointments at 38 clinics in community-hubs and workplace settings.

Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said the pilot showed “significant” results, demonstrating “that we are able to detect significant numbers of previously undiagnosed cases of high blood pressure and high cholesterol”.

Public Health Services and Guernsey Chest and Heart LBG have now developed a free prevention, detection and early intervention programme, called: ‘ABCD’.

The approach assesses:

The pilot, which was delivered by Guernsey’s Public Health Services and Guernsey Chest and Heart LBG, found that 25% of attendees had high blood pressure and 40% had high cholesterol.

These patients were advised to see a GP, with 53% and 40% respectively having done so at a two month follow up.

Those who attended were less likely to be registered with a GP, less likely to have health insurance and had fewer visits to a GP than reported by the general population in the Wellbeing Survey 2023.

The project was initiated after the 117th Medical Officer of Health Report highlighted the importance of reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease on the island. It found that 5000 people would need help reducing their risk over the next 5-10 years – particularly in underserved communities.

Dr Brink added: “If identified early, such risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be reduced or treated with lifestyle changes and medications leading to reduced future demand for more complex disease.

90% of attendees were also given lifestyle advice on things like their diet, weight, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking or vaping. Of those who followed up, 51% reported to have made those lifestyle changes.

Of the 93 people who followed up, eight people had started taking medication as a direct result of attending an appointment. If this was extrapolated to all attendees, 24 people could be taking medication.

Caroline Ogier, CEO at Guernsey Chest and Heart LBG, said: “We’re really pleased with the outcomes of this pilot and proud to have worked alongside Public Health to deliver it.

“It has shown that by taking cardiovascular risk detection into workplaces and community settings, we can reach people who may not otherwise access these checks and identify risk factors before they become something much more serious.

“People followed up with their GP, some started treatment, and many made positive changes to their lifestyle. That’s exactly what prevention is about – giving people the information, confidence and support to take control of their health before cardiovascular disease develops.”