Enhancing diagnosis and prevention of CV disease in Newham
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enhancing diagnosis and prevention of CV disease in Newham by integrated use of electronic health records
IRAS ID
182495
Contact name
Adam Timmis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Coronary heart disease remains the UK’s most common cause of premature (age<75) death in women and men. Recognition that it is largely preventable led to introduction of the NHS Health Check programme. People aged 40-74 are invited by their GP for assessment of their risk of coronary heart disease whereupon advice is given about simple methods to reduce the risk. This might include smoking cessation, exercise programmes and, in some cases, medication to lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Already, however, there are concerns that the Health Check programme is failing, partly because of sub-optimal communication between doctor and patient about the meaning of risk and methods of reducing it. In the present study we will address these issues by developing a personalized “risk report” within the electronic records system (EMIS) used by E London GPs. The personalized risk report will include, among other things, the patient’s “heart age” - a new metric that communicates, in a way that is easily understood, the extent to which the patient is putting him- or her-self at risk of coronary heart disease. The personalized report will, in addition, include a clear description, with graphical illustration, of individual patients’ 10 year and life-time CV risks, the factors driving those risks and how risk might be reduced through life-style and risk factor modification. We will evaluate the benefits of providing patients with the personalized risk report by patient and clinician interviews (qualitative analysis) and by conducting a simple study in which the effectiveness of Health Checks in reducing “heart age” is compared in patients before and after introduction of the personalized risk report.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0635
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion