Barts brings life-saving cholesterol check to east London
A fast, free cholesterol test, pioneered at Barts Health and now available at local pharmacies across east London, is helping people catch hidden heart risks early — potentially preventing heart attacks and strokes.
High cholesterol often has no symptoms but is a major cause of heart disease. Every month, around 220 people in east London die from heart and circulatory conditions.
Barts Heart Centre, working with local partners, has introduced this seven-minute test — first launched in Newham — that shows your cholesterol levels and estimates your risk of heart problems over the next 10 years.
Jagjot Kaur Chahal, cardiovascular disease prevention lead pharmacist, said: "This quick test helps people find out if they’re at risk before something serious happens. Pharmacies are a convenient, trusted place to get checked and take control of your heart health."
The service also connects people to support for healthier living, including advice on diet, exercise, and quitting smoking.
This is part of a wider approach at the Heart Centre, where clinicians are leading a bold shift from just treating disease to preventing it — helping people stay well and out of hospital.
Prevention improves patient health and eases pressure on the NHS by reducing hospital admissions and costs.
The initiative also aligns with the new NHS 10-year plan, which puts prevention at the heart of healthcare, focusing on stopping illness before it starts.
Barts Health have teamed up with UCLPartners, North East and North Central London ICB, North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee, HEART UK, and NHS England to bring this rapid cholesterol test to local pharmacies.
The service was recently visited by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, David Webb (pictured).
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