LCO Cardiovascular Health Hub

LCO Cardiovascular Health Hub

This webpage brings together essential information and local services that support the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether you want to lower your risk, understand your condition, or access support to stay well, this hub provides simple, reliable guidance in one place.

It is designed to help patients, carers, and clinicians easily find and access free programmes, lifestyle support, and resources that improve heart health and reduce the risk of CVD complications.

All resources and services on this page are free to access, download, or refer into.

What is cardiovascular disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It includes problems that cause the heart or blood vessels to work less effectively, often due to narrowing or damage to the blood vessels or changes in the heart’s rhythm or function.

CVD develops over time and is often linked to factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight, or being physically inactive.

CVD is one of the leading causes of illness and early death in the UK, but many cases are preventable, and most conditions can be managed well with the right support, treatment, and lifestyle changes.

More information:

Why CVD matters

CVD can increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Many people have early signs of CVD without realising, because conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol often have no symptoms.

Early detection and management can:

  • Reduce the risk of life-threatening events
  • Improve quality of life
  • Prevent complications
  • Support people to live well for longer

This is why regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and heart health checks are so important.

More information: Cardiovascular disease – NHS

Common CVD conditions

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure means blood is flowing through your arteries with too much force. Over time, this can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Often called a “silent killer”, because most people have no symptoms.

More information:
NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension

2. High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood. Too much “bad” cholesterol can build up in blood vessels, causing blockages.

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, but increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

More information:
NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol

3. Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

AF is an irregular heart rhythm that can cause the heart to beat too fast or unevenly. It increases the risk of stroke by five times because it can cause blood clots to form.

Some people feel palpitations, shortness of breath or tiredness, but others feel nothing at all.

More information:
NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation

4. Heart Failure

Heart failure happens when the heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should. It can cause breathlessness, swelling in the legs or abdomen, and tiredness.

With treatment and lifestyle changes, many people can live well for years.

More information:
NHS: www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-failure

When to seek urgent help

Call 999 immediately if someone has symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

Signs of a heart attack:

  • Tightness, pain, or pressure in the chest
  • Pain spreading to the arms, jaw, neck or back
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling sick, sweaty or light-headed

Signs of a stroke (FAST test):

  • Face – drooping on one side
  • Arms – cannot lift both arms
  • Speech – slurred or confused
  • Time – call 999 right away

More information:
NHS Heart Attack Guidance: www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-attack
NHS Stroke Guidance: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stroke

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease (For Everyone)

Most cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be prevented. Small lifestyle changes and regular health checks can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other complications.

This section brings together simple advice and free local services to help you look after your heart health.

1. Stopping smoking

What it is:
Support to help you stop smoking, including coaching, nicotine replacement therapy, and medication.

Why it matters:
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of heart disease. Stopping smoking improves health immediately and reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke.

How to access support:
NHS stop smoking support: www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking

2. Healthy weight support

What it is:
Free programmes to support healthy eating, weight management, and improving energy levels.

Why it matters:
Being overweight increases the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

How to access support:

3. Physical activity support

What it is:
Local and online programmes to help you move more, whether you’re just starting out or looking to build activity into daily life.

Why it matters:
Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, and improves mental wellbeing.

How to access support:

4. Blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring

What it is:
Checking your blood pressure at home using a validated BP monitor or digital tool.

Why it matters:
High blood pressure often has no symptoms but is one of the biggest preventable causes of heart attack and stroke. Regular monitoring helps you understand and manage your blood pressure over time.

How to access support:

Living With a Heart Condition (For people with diagnosed CVD)

Many heart conditions can be well managed with the right treatment, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring. Below you’ll find simple guidance and trusted resources to help you stay well and understand your condition.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

What it means
High blood pressure (hypertension) means that blood is pushing too strongly against your artery walls. Over time, this can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and vascular dementia. It often has no symptoms, which is why regular monitoring is important.

More information:
NHS – High Blood Pressure www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Home BP monitoring gives a more accurate picture of your blood pressure and helps you and your healthcare team make better decisions. How to do it: How to measure your blood pressure at home

More information: British and Irish Hypertension Society – Home BP Guidance
Validated BP Monitors: Clinical, Policy, and Procurement Guidance | British & Irish Hypertension Society

NHS BP Monitoring Guidance www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/diagnosis

Recording and Submitting Readings

  • Record readings in a BP diary or home-monitoring sheet.
  • Submit readings to your GP practice by:
    – Secure text link (if your practice uses one)
    – Online consultation forms
    – Telephone appointment
    – Bringing your diary to your review appointment
  • Ensure you share readings covering at least 4-7 days where possible.

High Cholesterol / Lipid Management

What cholesterol is

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood. Your body needs some, but too much “bad” cholesterol (LDL) can build up inside arteries, causing them to narrow or block. This increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

More information: NHS – High Cholesterol www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol

Medicines for high cholesterol (Statins) explained simply

Statins are medicines that lower cholesterol and help protect the heart and blood vessels. They:

  • Reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
  • Reduce inflammation in arteries
  • Lower the risk of heart attack and stroke

Most people take one tablet once a day. They work best when taken long-term.

Side effects are uncommon, but if you have muscle pain, weakness, or new symptoms, speak with your GP or pharmacist.

More information: NHS – Statins www.nhs.uk/conditions/statins

Lifestyle support and programmes

Lifestyle changes can improve cholesterol alongside medication. Support may include:

  • Healthy weight programmes
  • Support to stop smoking
  • Improving diet (reducing saturated fats, increasing fibre)
  • Increasing physical activity

Local services:

Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

What AF is and why it matters

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm where the heart beats too fast or unevenly. It increases the risk of stroke by up to five times, because blood can pool in the heart and form clots.

Symptoms can include:

  • Palpitations
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of breath

But some people have no symptoms at all.

More information: NHS – Atrial Fibrillation www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation

Medication Adherence Support

If you have difficulty remembering or managing your medicines:

Heart Failure

What it means

Heart failure means the heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should. It does not mean the heart has stopped working — but it does need support.

Common symptoms:

  • Breathlessness
  • Swollen ankles, legs, or tummy
  • Tiredness and difficulty exercising

Evidence: NHS – Heart Failure www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-failure

Local Support Services (Manchester)

Manchester has a wide range of GP services and free community-based services that can help you manage your heart health, stay well, and access support close to home. Below you’ll find services delivered by GP Practices, trusted voluntary and community partners, pharmacies, and neighbourhood teams.

1. GP NHS Health check – NHS Health Check – NHS

What is an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of the health of your heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular health). It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as: ·

During the check-up you’ll discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions. If you’re aged over 65, you’ll also be told about symptoms of dementia to look out for, as some types of dementia have the same risk factors as these conditions. You can also be given details of local services that help with dementia.

2. Be Well Community NHS Health check

The Be Well NHS Community Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke.

Be Well NHS Community Health Check Eligibility Criteria

  • Aged 40 – 74
  • Do not already have heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease and not taking medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Registered with a Manchester GP practice
  • Have not had an NHS health check in last 5 years

The health check consists of a blood pressure check, a small blood test to check cholesterol levels and diabetes risk, plus height and weight measurements. The health check takes around 30 minutes to complete, and you will receive a copy of your results during your appointment.

Book a Be Well NHS Health Check appointment, please phone 0770 287 2861

3. North Manchester Community NHS Health checks – North Manchester AF and Lipids Project – BHA for Equality

  • MLCO, Winning Hearts and Minds, and VCSFE partners BHA for Equality are delivering free community-based NHS Health Checks across the following neighbourhoods in North Manchester to those who need it most: (Cheetham and Crumpsall, Miles Platting, Newton Heath and Moston, Higher Blackley, Harpurhey and Charlestown, and Ancoats, Bradford and Clayton)
  • These checks aim to reach patient groups who are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease who may not routinely attend GP appointments.

Eligibility (Residents must meet all of the eligibility criteria below)

  • Eligible patients are from the following target populations who face higher CVD risk (Black African & Caribbean communities, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Indian communities, White Gypsy & Irish Traveller communities, White communities experiencing high levels of discrimination and disadvantage)
  • Aged 50-94 and have no existing Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, Chronic kidney disease and Diabetes diagnosis
  • And who have not had a health check in last 5 years

The Community health checks will be held up to June 2027. (delivering 600 health checks in total)

  • Please contact the BHA team at akil@thebha.org.uk or call 07783486465 to book a health check or find out more information, including if you would like to arrange sessions in your area

4. Neighbourhood Health Champions Programme – Contact Neighbourhood Health Champions

Neighbourhood Health Champions are ethnically diverse and culturally competent community volunteers who help build trust and confidence within the community and provide community-based case finding by offering blood pressure checks to our residents with high levels of CVD and referring people with high blood pressure to their GP or Pharmacist via agreed protocols.

Health Champions are in the following priority neighbourhoods; Moss Side, Hulme, Rusholme, Ardwick, Longsight and Wythenshawe.

Use this form to contact https://tr.ee/zOwVaNk9do us. Or you can call, text or WhatsApp us on 07726 692 551
Email: Nhc.coordinator@msmpowerhouse.org.uk

5. Community Pharmacy Hypertension Case Finding Service – Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks – NHS

Use this service to find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks. You can get your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy without seeing a GP.

Who can get a free blood pressure check

You can get a free blood pressure check if you:

  • are aged 40 or over
  • live in England

You cannot get a free blood pressure check if you:

  • already have high blood pressure
  • have had your blood pressure checked by a healthcare professional in the past 6 months

What happens when you get your blood pressure checked

A pharmacist, or member of the pharmacy team, will wrap a blood pressure cuff around your upper arm to measure your blood pressure. They will then share the result with you.

Depending on the result, they might:

  • give you advice to support healthy living
  • give you a blood pressure monitor to take home with you and return later
  • advise you to see a GP

If you’re registered with a GP surgery, your blood pressure reading will be added to your GP health record. It will not be shared with anyone unless your blood pressure is very high or very low and you need urgent medical help.

Find a pharmacy here – Find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks – NHS

6. New Medicine Service (NMS)

Starting a new medicine – Your pharmacy can help

Free NHS support from your local pharmacy

The New Medicine Service (NMS) – If you’ve been prescribed a new medicine for certain long-term conditions, your pharmacist can give you free, personalised support to help you get the best out of your treatment.

If you’re unsure whether your medicine is covered, just ask – your pharmacist will be happy to check for you

Why it helps

  • Understand what your new medicine does
  • Learn how and when to take it
  • Discuss side-effects or concerns
  • Get answers to your questions
  • Improve how well the medicine works for you

How it works

Step 1: Your pharmacy team may offer the service when you collect your prescription – or you can ask about it anytime when picking up your new medicine

Step 2: You’ll be invited to a consultation with your pharmacist between 7 and 14 days after you first receive your new medicine

Step 3: Your pharmacist will arrange a follow-up discussion with you 14 to 21 days after step 2

Note: The appointment will be at a convenient time for you and could be in the pharmacy, on the phone or via a video link

Make the most of your NMS appointments

  • Read the leaflet that came with your medicine before your appointment
  • Note down any questions you want to ask

7. Be Well Social Prescribing service – Be Well – The Big Life group

Be Well is here to help you find a way to live and feel well whatever twists and turns life brings. We can even help you get on top of work, family and money worries. When you come to Be Well, you’ll be assessed by one of our trained coaches. They’ll talk to you about the help you need and the goals you want to achieve and set you up with the most appropriate person in the team to get you to where you want to be.

Access:
Just call us on 0161 470 7120

Opening times:
Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm

8. Care Navigators – Care Navigators – Manchester Local Care Organisation

Who we are – We are Community Care Navigators for Manchester and Trafford.

Our team works across the city and borough’s hospitals and in the neighbourhoods of Manchester and Trafford.

What we do – Care Navigators work with people to ensure they are connected with the right services available to them in your local neighbourhood. We work closely with NHS services, mental health services, GP’s, social services (council), housing associations, charities, voluntary groups, social enterprise organisations and other community resources to do this.

Who we help – We help anyone who is 18 years old and above and who lives in Manchester or Trafford.

How do Care Navigators work?

We understand that it can be difficult navigating your way through what is available in your local neighbourhood to help with any health or wellbeing issues. We will listen and liaise with you and our community colleagues to explore what you already have in place. We then identify any gaps in support and link you into these services. We then monitor to ensure these services have provided the support you require or if you need connecting further.

Do you know someone that is:

  • Socially isolated or lonely?
  • At risk of hospital re-admission?
  • Causing you worry?
  • Poorly connected in their community/neighbourhood?
  • Suitable for non-clinical intervention?
  • A resident or GP patient of Manchester or Trafford over 18 years old?

If so, please refer to the Care Navigators.

Contacting us

Our service is available 7 days a week:

  • Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00
  • Referrals can be made outside of these hours but will not be actioned until the next working day.

If you would like to talk to a Care Navigator or make a referral, please contact the Single Point of Access (SPA) team by phone or email:

We may discuss your needs with you over the phone or by email, in some cases we are able to visit you at home or within a local community setting.

9. Winning Hearts and Minds – ONE OF US | AN EVALUATION OF THE COMMUNITY LED INITIATIVES WORKSTREAM OF WINNING HEARTS & MINDS – MCRactive – Get active in Manchester

Winning Hearts and Minds is a programme which aims to improve the mental and heart health of people living in Manchester.

The programme is a multi-agency, whole system approach, with more intense work in the most disadvantaged communities in North Manchester, in order to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

If you need help or information on how to access local support in North Manchester for your health and wellbeing, please contact Winning Hearts and Minds at – n.clayton@mcractive.com

Resources on Cardiovascular disease (Easy to download)

1. Healthy Hearts in Manchester – Link Tree to go here (coming soon)

This link tree has links to the CVD Podcast videos and other resources

2. Cardiovascular disease – Patient education videos – North West Coast Clinical Networks – YouTube

Videos are available covering the following topics:

  • Adult Basic Life Support
  • Cardiovascular risk factors
  • Coronary heart disease and how the heart works
  • Healthy eating
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Physical Activity and exercise
  • Understanding your medicines

All videos are also available in the following languages:

  • Arabic
  • Cantonese
  • Polish
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Urdu
  • British Sign Language.

English and British Sign Language
Flyer-English-and-BSL-FINAL.pdf
Cardiac patient education videos (English) – YouTube

Arabic العربية
Flyer-Arabic-FINAL.pdf
القلب مرضى فيديوهات – Cardiac patient education videos (Arabic) – YouTube

Cantonese 廣東話
Flyer-Cantonese-FINAL.pdf
心臟病患者影片 – Cardiac patient education videos (Cantonese) – YouTube

Polish
Polski Flyer-Polish-FINAL.pdf
filmy pacjentów kardiologicznych – Cardiac patient education videos (Polish) – YouTube

Romanian română
Flyer-Romanian-FINAL.pdf
videoclipuri cu pacienți cardiaci – Cardiac patient education videos (Romanian) – YouTube

Russian Русский
Flyer-Russian-v2-FINAL.pdf
видео пациентов с сердечными заболеваниями – Cardiac patient education videos (Russian) – YouTube

Urdu اردو
Flyer-Urdu-FINAL.pdf
ویڈیوز کی مریض کے دل – Cardiac patient videos (Urdu) – YouTube

QR Codes poster – click on the link below to access the QR codes and scan to watch the videos
QR-codes-poster.pdf

3. Calculate your Heart Age – Calculate your heart age – NHS

Your heart age gives you an idea of how healthy your heart is.

This calculator will compare your real age to your heart age by asking you questions about your health. You’ll also find out how to improve your heart age by making some healthy lifestyle changes.

Who can use this calculator

This calculator is suitable for you if you:

  • are aged 30 to 95
  • do not have a condition that affects your heart or blood vessels (a cardiovascular disease)
  • live in the UK

Before you start

We’ll be asking you details about your health, including your:

  • weight
  • height
  • blood pressure
  • cholesterol

You can still use this calculator if you do not have your blood pressure or cholesterol details but the results may be less accurate.

Start here – How old are you? – Calculate your heart age – NHS

4. Top tips for healthy blood pressure – Top tips for Healthy Blood pressure

Raised blood pressure is the number one cause of pain and disability in Greater Manchester. It can increase your risk of experiencing a serious health problem like a heart attack, stroke or dementia. Knowing your blood pressure is the first step to doing something about it.

You can get your blood pressure checked for free in many places, including your General Practice and local community Pharmacy.

5. Healthier Eating: African, Caribbean and South Asian cuisines – 221201_HealthierYou_AfricanCaribbeanSouthAsianFoodGuide_Online.pdf

The advice in this booklet provides an easy-to-use visual guide and helps you to select healthier choices for people from African, Caribbean and South Asian communities. Education about the range of foods will enable you to improve your knowledge and better manage your overall health.

6. Everything you need to know about blood pressure – Blood Pressure UK

When you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure you might come across some medical words. Find out what they mean.

7. What cardiovascular disease is – Cardiovascular disease – BHF