Guidelines backed by six leading UK health organizations recommend that GPs and others should be more proactive in measuring “good” and “bad” cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure in people at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke. These include all people with diabetes, high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease, and those with family history of early onset artery damage.

The guidelines were drawn up by collaboration between the British Cardiac Society, the British Hypertension Society, Diabetes UK, HEART UK, the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society and the Stroke Association. Copies are being sent to all family doctors. Tough targets have been set that can be achieved by lifestyle changes and by drug treatment that will improve both the quality and the length of life.