Residents across West Birmingham came out in force to attend a community event at Hamstead Pavilion providing free health checks, expert advice and practical support to help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The event brought together NHS teams, GPs and community organisations, with residents taking advantage of free blood pressure and diabetes checks, heart health advice and opportunities to speak directly with healthcare professionals.
Attendees were particularly interested in support around stress and anxiety, taking part in wellbeing activities including yoga, and receiving flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Organised through the West Birmingham Locality Partnership, the event was part of ongoing efforts to tackle health inequalities by making preventative healthcare more accessible to local communities.
Cardiovascular disease, which includes conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, remains a leading cause of premature illness and death, although many of the risk factors can be identified and managed before serious problems develop.
Dr Saj Sarwar, a GP in Aston with a special interest in cardiology and Birmingham and Solihull ICB Cardiology Lead, spoke about the importance of making small but meaningful changes to everyday habits. He explained: “When we talk about cardiovascular disease, we’re not just talking about heart disease. We’re also talking about preventing strokes and considering conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.
“Prevention is better than cure, and there is a lot we can do. Sometimes it’s about getting back to basics, whether that’s being more active, looking at what we eat, managing our weight or simply knowing our blood pressure.
“Bringing together GPs, hospital teams, mental health services and community organisations means we can work collectively to help people live longer, healthier lives.”
Professor Derek Connolly, Consultant Cardiologist, highlighted why early detection is so important, recalling a patient who made a significant impact on him.
He said: “One of the youngest people I’ve treated for a heart attack was just 19 years old, and that was only two years ago. They had a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol, but had never had their cholesterol measured.
“One of the things we’re incredibly keen on is making sure everybody knows their numbers. That means knowing your weight, your body mass index (BMI), your blood pressure, whether you have diabetes and, importantly, your cholesterol levels.
“If you’ve got a family member who develops heart disease or has a stroke in their 40s or 50s, and you’re only in your 20s or 30s, there’s an opportunity to act much earlier. By identifying and treating risk factors sooner, we can help prevent people from going on to have heart attacks and strokes.”
Councillor Narinder Kaur Kooner OBE, who attended and supported the event, welcomed the strong turnout and the opportunity to reach residents in a familiar, local setting. She said: “We’ve had a fantastic turnout, with people really engaging with the services available. What makes events like this so important is that we’re bringing healthcare into the heart of the community.
“It’s a great example of what we can achieve by working together, and I would encourage everyone to take advantage of opportunities like this.”
Val Taylor, Associate Non-Executive Director across Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, also attended and reflected on the importance of connecting with local communities. She said: “I’m really proud to be part of this community. I live just down the road, so it’s particularly pleasing to see us coming out into local neighbourhoods to raise awareness and help people take better care of their health.
“There is so much support and information available, whether that’s through your GP or events like this. I would encourage everyone to take that first step and get checked.”
Residents who were unable to attend can speak to their GP practice or local pharmacy about blood pressure checks and the support available to help reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.