BAPS Charities continued its work with the Royal Free Hospital – a major teaching hospital in Hampstead, London – by hosting a cardiovascular health screening session on Sunday 22 April 2018 at the Robin Hood Academy in Birmingham, UK.
BAPS Charities has developed a longstanding partnership with the Hospital, which has fostered a series of health screening events for local communities over the past ten years. BAPS Charities has also delivered numerous health screening and awareness events in Birmingham.
In total, 40 participants, mostly aged between 30 and 60 years, benefitted from the event. Some of the attendees had been previously screened and diagnosed as being high-risk for heart disease and were therefore invited for a follow-up screening to assess their progress.
The screening programme measured blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index, blood pressure, body fat and an ultrasound scan of the neck to assess vascular risk.
Over half of the attendees were diagnosed with high levels of blood cholesterol and a condition known as ‘pre-diabetes’. Participants were given an opportunity to discuss the findings with doctors and a nutritionist. Areas requiring attention were noted with corresponding guidance and follow-up plans agreed for affected attendees.
The session was very well received with positive feedback from all participants. One of the attendees shared, “It was very beneficial to receive a personalised medical screening service in an informal and friendly environment to a very high standard.”
Another participant added, “Until today I did not realise that my cholesterol and weight was higher than it should be. After speaking to the doctor, I have decided to become more active and make changes to my diet. I spoke to the nutritionist at length, who offered useful and practical advice on healthy eating. Thank you to BAPS Charities and the Royal Free.”
Dr Nair from the Royal Free Hospital said, “We have identified a number of participants at risk in the local community in Birmingham and, importantly, provided primary preventative advice for improving their health. This has been an extremely successful screening session.”
