RecruitingInterventional

The effectiveness of a cardiovascular ‘health check’ in a workplace setting

This study is looking into how effective a workplace 'Healthy Heart' check is for spotting early signs of heart conditions. You'll be repeating a test you did at home or work about a year ago. That original test measured things like your blood fats (cholesterol) and gave an idea of your risk of heart attack or stroke. The NHS started offering health checks back in 2009 to help people aged 40-74. This new study wants to see if remote, workplace-based checks could be a good, convenient, and cost-effective way to do something similar. By repeating the test, researchers can see if the first check made a difference and evaluate what happened if any serious health findings were spotted last time around. It could help improve how heart health is monitored in the UK.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

824

Start

01 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2026

Cardiovascular diseases

What is this study about?

Imagine the NHS Health Check you might get at your doctor's surgery, but instead, it happens at your workplace or even at home. This study is all about understanding how well this simpler, remote ‘Healthy Heart’ check works. The NHS has offered health checks for people aged 40-74 for years to help catch conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol early. The idea is that catching these issues quickly means you can get advice or treatment to manage them, keeping you healthier in the long run.

Now, researchers are exploring if doing these checks within the workplace, using a kit you can send off yourself, is just as good, or even better, than the traditional clinic visit. This method has shown promise in other countries, and it could be more convenient and possibly save money for the NHS. This study asks people who had one of these workplace 'Healthy Heart' checks a year ago to do it again. By comparing the results now with those from a year ago, the researchers can see if the initial check was useful and if people took action based on their results.

Specifically, the 'PocDoc Healthy Heart' test looks at your blood fats (cholesterol) and estimates your risk of heart attack and stroke. The study will also look at what happened to people who had concerning results from their first test a year ago – for example, if they had very high cholesterol. This will help them understand how effective the whole process is, from identifying a potential issue to making sure people get the right follow-up care if needed. Ultimately, the goal is to see if this type of digital, remote check could be a valuable way to help more people keep an eye on their heart health.

Key takeaways

This study compares remote workplace heart checks to traditional NHS ones.
You'll repeat a home blood test (fingerprick) for cholesterol and heart risk.
It helps see if these checks are a good, convenient way to monitor heart health.
Participation involves a simple test done at home or work, with no clinic visits.
You'll get an updated view of your heart health; discuss concerning results with your doctor.
The study runs from January to October 2026.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 25 and 85 years old. A really important part of joining is that you must have taken part in the original 'PocDoc Healthy Heart' check through your workplace about a year ago.

You also need to still be working for one of the companies involved in that first health check initiative. If you're currently off work for a long time due to illness, or for other reasons like maternity leave or a sabbatical, you might not be able to join unless your employer says it's okay to contact you for non-work-related things.

There are a few reasons you might not be able to take part. For example, if you already knew you had high cholesterol and were being treated for it when you did the first check, or if you have certain health conditions like Type 1 diabetes, specific kidney disease, or a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. You'll also need access to a phone, tablet, or computer to use the PocDoc App. The study also needs to make sure you can understand what's involved and give your consent, so people with certain conditions affecting their mental capacity or those receiving palliative care might not be able to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 25 and 85 years old?
Did you take part in a workplace 'PocDoc Healthy Heart' check about a year ago?
Do you still work for the same employer who offered that first check?
Do you have access to a phone, tablet, or computer to use the PocDoc App?
Were you NOT already being treated for high cholesterol when you did the first check, and do you NOT have conditions like Type 1 diabetes or severe kidney disease?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the first step is to read and sign a consent form, which gives your permission for the study. After that, you'll simply be asked to complete a 'PocDoc Healthy Heart' test. This test kit is designed so you can easily use it at home or at your workplace. It involves taking a few drops of blood with a small fingerprick. There are no clinic visits, special appointments, or follow-up phone calls from the study team. You're effectively repeating the same type of test you did a year ago, enabling the researchers to compare the results. The study is expected to run from January 2026 to October 2026, and your participation will be a short, one-off activity.

Potential risks and benefits

A possible benefit of taking part is that you'll get a repeat check of your blood fats (cholesterol) and an update on your heart health a year after your initial test. This means you can keep an eye on your cardiovascular health, and if the results show anything significant, you can discuss them with your own doctor or nurse. The risks are very small; the main one is a minor discomfort from a small fingerprick to collect a few drops of blood, similar to what's done for a diabetes check. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it won't affect your medical care.

Locations (3)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Carlisle, England
Cumbria Health on Call Extended Access
City only
Carlisle, England
North East and North Cumbria RRDN
City only
Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Common questions

What is a 'PocDoc Healthy Heart' check?

It's a kit that lets you test your blood fats (cholesterol) at home or work with a fingerprick. It gives you information about your heart health and potential risks.

Do I need to visit a hospital or clinic?

No, you don't. All you need to do is complete the test kit at home or work and return it.

What if my results are worrying?

The study will tell you your results. If anything significant is found, you should discuss this with your own GP or healthcare professional, as they are best placed to give you personalised medical advice.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by Vital Signs Solutions Ltd, which makes and sells the PocDoc Healthy Heart Check test kits.

How long will my participation take?

Your involvement in the study is a one-off activity: completing the consent form and then the test kit yourself. The study itself runs from January to October 2026.

How to find out more

Leon Jonker

leon.jonker@ncic.nhs.uk +44 (0)1228 602173 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.