A new digital health check for cardiovascular disease is to be fully integrated within the NHS app as a result of a partnership with UK digital diagnostics company PocDoc.

Its “Healthy Heart Check” combines a home test kit with the PocDoc app. It provides patients with a full cholesterol panel test, and data including their heart age, 10-year risk of a heart attack or stroke, and BMI score.

The test also provides access to follow-up treatment options where necessary. Once the patient has uploaded their test to the PocDoc app, their result is reflected in their patient record immediately. The whole test can be completed in nine minutes.

The private diagnostic service claims to be the first to be integrated into the NHS app and, says the company, is a significant moment for the NHS in its mission to make digital health checks widely available across the country.

The service has already been used by patients across the country, with initial roll-outs via pharmacies, community centres, and NHS partnerships in North East and North Cumbria, West Yorkshire, Cambridge and Peterborough, and Cornwall.

Results indicate the service is effective at reaching ‘at risk’ groups, says the company, particularly those over the age of 40 years, the untested, the overweight and those groups who find it difficult to access a GP, and groups where there are cultural barriers to accessing current services.

“The promise of rapid screening for cardio, renal, metabolic and whole-body health is substantial,” says PocDoc. “Studies show it offers the NHS the chance to save £27 billion over the next 10 years in reduced costs and could help save up to 1 million people annually from heart attacks and strokes.”

The Cambridge-based company is preparing for its next funding round later this year. The business claims to be the UK’s fastest-growing diagnostics startup with plans to launch in the Middle East towards the end of 2024 and the US towards the end of 2025.