People in Guernsey urged to get heart health check

People are being urged to prioritise heart health in the hope of reversing a "worrying trend" which saw more than a third tested in 2025 suffering from high cholesterol or high blood pressure, which can put people at greater risk of a heart attack or a stroke.

February is National Heart Month and Guernsey Chest and Heart LBG said it was calling on people to get a free cardiac health check.

Last year saw numbers getting tested double to 2,247 and tests picked up potential problems, with 32% suffering high blood pressure and 27% of people with high cholesterol, organisers said.

Centre manager Caroline Ogier said: "Earlier monitoring can make a real difference when it comes to prevention."

She said people came when they reached milestone birthdays or "something's not quite right".

The service said it also wanted to encourage younger people, especially men aged 25 to 45 who were less likely to visit their GP, to get monitored to help prevent any problems.

It said, by raising awareness of atrial fibrillation, blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, the programme encouraged early identification of risk factors before symptoms developed.

"Detecting and managing these conditions early can significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular and other diseases, helping people take control of their health and make informed lifestyle choices that support a healthier future," said Ogier.

She said people could improve their heart health by stopping smoking and getting help from Quitline Guernsey.

Ogier also advised taking regular exercise of at least 30 minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding saturated fats, and keeping alcohol intake to fewer than 14 units a week.

She also advised regular blood pressure and cholesterol checks.

"This is particularly important because high blood pressure and cholesterol often don't have symptoms. This means damage is being done and you don't even know about it," she said.

Screenings at Guernsey Chest and Heart are available to all islanders aged 25-70 who are not being treated for these conditions, and follow-up screenings are offered every five years.

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