Evaluation of a cardiovascular disease opportunistic risk assessment pilot ('Heart MOT' service) in community pharmacies.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular risk-based screening is proposed as a key intervention to reduce premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the UK and internationally. This study evaluated a targeted cardiovascular (CVD) assessment pilot in 23 community pharmacies in Birmingham, UK.


METHODS
The CVD risk assessment service used near-patient testing and the Framingham risk equations administered by pharmacists to screen clients aged 40-70 without known CVD. Outcomes assessed included volume of activity, uptake by deprivation and ethnicity and onwards referral.


RESULTS
Complete data were available for 1130 of 1141 clients; 679 (60%) male, 218 (19%) smokers and 124 (11%) had a family history of CVD. Overall, 792 (70%) of clients were referred to their general practice: 201 (18%) at CVD risk of 20% or more, remainder with individual risk factor(s). Greater representation from Black (7.4%) and Asian (24.8%) communities and from average and less deprived quintiles than the affluent and most deprived was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Community pharmacies can provide a CVD risk assessment service in a UK urban setting that can attract males and provide access for deprived communities and Black and Asian communities. A pharmacy service can support GP practices in identifying and managing the workload of around 30% of clients.
NHS South Birmingham, Trust Headquarters, Moseley Hall Hospital, Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8JL, UK. jonathan.horgan@sbpct.nhs.uk
J M P
JM
Horgan
A
A
Blenkinsopp
R J
RJ
McManus
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D014504:Urban Health