More than 230 people were screened for heart conditions at an event hosted earlier this month by the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the Pumping Marvellous Foundation.
A team of experienced medical and nursing staff provided free screening from 10am until 3pm at Girvan Community Hospital. Staff from Pumping Marvellous, the largest patient-led heart failure charity in the UK, were also on hand for information and advice.
Throughout the day:
- The team performed 238 heart rhythm checks and provided reassurance. No abnormalities were identified.
- The team performance 45 NT-proBNP (heart hormone) tests to assess for heart failure. Heart failure was ruled out in 39 patients, with six people referred on for further investigation and follow up.
- Raised blood pressure was identified in 121 of those who attended (87 not medicated, medicated 34). Information and advice was given on self-monitoring.
- 28 people completed CPR training.
- 51 people received a functional MOT.
- 52 people received their flu vaccine.
Dr Crawford McGuffie, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Medical Director, said:
“This is the second screening event we have held in Ayrshire, the last taking place in Kilmarnock in 2024. We were delighted to see such a fantastic turn out yet again for this latest event in Girvan, particularly given the challenging weather conditions.
“I would like to thank Pumping Marvellous who have teamed up with us again to bring this event to our communities. And a big thank you to everyone from the Girvan and South Carrick communities who joined us on the day.”
Stewart Marshall, Interim Head of Community Health and Care Services added,
“In South Ayrshire we are working hard to help bring services back into our communities to help empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing. I was delighted to make it along to the event to support, I was blown away by the positive attitude and the real buzz at the event. A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this event together, particularly all the staff who supported making this event a success.”
The first patient referred for a follow-up, as a result of this event, has been seen at Crosshouse Cardiac Day Unit where a heart impairment was identified, prognostic medications have since been proscribed for the patient to treat this condition.