UK Universal Heart Checks Call
December 21, 2005
From BBC Health - December 21, 2005 00:46
Doctors should assess whether all over 40s would benefit from tests for heart disease, experts say.
Doctors should assess whether all patients aged over 40 would benefit from comprehensive tests for cardiovascular disease, say experts.
Guidelines call for GPs to take a much more proactive approach to the UK's leading cause of death and disability.
They also stress younger adults should be screened if they have a family history of early onset artery damage.
The guidelines, backed by six leading organisations, are published in the journal Heart.
They are to be distributed to GPs across the country.
They set tougher targets for controlling blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar in those people deemed to be at heightened risk.
