A drop-in event which saw more than 700 people across Ayrshire and Arran screened for heart conditions has been deemed an “overwhelming success” by event organisers.

A team of staff from the cardiology and acute care departments at the University Hospital Crosshouse provided free heart rhythm checks, blood pressure checks, and finger prick blood tests for almost nine hours at the Killie Community Hub in Kilmarnock.

Staff from Pumping Marvellous, the largest patient-led heart failure charity in the UK, were also available for information and advice.

Of the 710 people seen, 157 were found to have raised blood pressure levels of which they were not previously aware.

A total of 102 drop-ins were given a fingertip blood test to measure heart hormone levels for suspected heart failure, with 11 then offered a follow-up appointment for a heart ultrasound scan.

Meanwhile, 23 people were found to have an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation and were offered follow-up appointments for treatment to prevent stroke.

A small number of others were found to have heart murmurs and were provided with follow-up assessment appointments and heart scans at a later date.

One person who attended the event and went on to receive a follow-up appointment at the cardiac day unit said:

“I can’t believe that my condition was picked up at the event and I’ve already been seen at the hospital and given the medication I need to take. I am so glad that I went along to be screened and am very grateful to all those involved.”

Gaynor Campbell, Senior Cardiology Advanced Nurse Practitioner and one of the event organisers, said the day was an “overwhelming success” and the team was blown away by the number of people who turned up and waited to be seen:

“It really shows there is an appetite for this kind of screening event and will provide excellent feedback to Pumping Marvellous who offered us the opportunity to be part of their pilot which is looking at improving access to health care in alternative settings.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Pumping Marvellous and The Killie Community, and of course to the hundreds of people who came along in less than perfect weather conditions and waited a long time to be screened.

“We know from feedback that the vast majority found it to be a really positive and worthwhile experience. I’d like to give a special mention to all the NHS and charity staff involved – most of whom gave up their days off to take part – it really wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

NHS Ayrshire & Arran was the only board in Scotland approached to participate in the pilot, following successful events in Stoke-on-Trent and Liverpool.

The Killie Community, a charity that uses football to engage people from all backgrounds and improve lives, said it was thrilled to open its Community Hub to host such an important event.

A spokesperson from the charity said the high turnout shows the need for this sort of community-based screening programmes:

“For hundreds of individuals to have their heart issues identified, together we have potentially saved lives.

“As a charity, we strive to work in partnership with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and, despite significant cuts to our funding, we continue to explore ways we can support local people who need this kind of support more than ever.”

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