Tests to tackle killer diseases

Everybody aged between 40 and 74 is due to be offered medical tests for illnesses that kill 170,000 people a year.

Check-ups to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease are being made available on the NHS.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson was today set to announce the screening, which Government experts believe could prevent up to 9,500 heart attacks and strokes and save 2,000 lives annually. In January, the Prime Minister announced people would be offered the check-ups but details will be given today.

The idea has been given a chilly reception by GPs, who warned the Government has not properly thought through how such screening would be put into practice.

The British Medical Association said in January that it would require a significant expansion of specialist staff and equipment in surgeries, and greatly increase the number of people needing hospital treatment.

Today, Mr Johnson was setting out the clinical case for a national programme.

Everyone between the ages of 40 and 74 will be entitled to the checks, which will be based on things like age, sex, family history of disease, height, weight and blood pressure.

A blood test to measure cholesterol will also be included.

Patients will then receive a personal report which sets out their risk of developing disease and practical things they can do to reduce it.

For those at low risk, this may mean general advice on how best to stay healthy.

Those who are overweight or obese may be referred to weight management programmes, while smokers will be helped to quit.

People at highest risk will be given the cholesterol-busting drugs, statins, or treatment to lower their blood pressure.

The vascular check programme is likely to be introduced in 2009-10 following consultation with the NHS and voluntary sector.

Smoking, a lack of exercise, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol are known to cause a build-up of fatty deposits in blood vessels.

These can lead to coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.