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NHS health checks carry a “significant long-term survival benefit” in identifying people at risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research published in the British Journal of General Practice.

The study analysed electronic primary care records for 158,645 patients who registered with GPs in Lambeth between 2009 and 2023. Of those patients, 63,347 were non-white and 100,825 lived in the two most deprived “quintiles” in England.

The researchers, who took into account sociodemographic, geographic and behavioural factors, found health checks were “associated’ with a 32 per cent reduction in the risk of death.

The study also found the 10-year absolute mortality risk showed the biggest reduction in 70 to 74-year-olds who had at least one health check. In that age group, the risk decreased from 18.1 per cent to 12.9 per cent. For 65 to 69-year-olds who had at least one health check, the risk decreased from 12.5 per cent to 8.8 per cent.

“This study suggests significant long-term survival benefit associated with the NHS health checks, supporting continued investment in and optimisation of the programme to provide population health benefits,” the study concluded.

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to commission health checks, which are offered to adults aged 40 to 74 who do not have any pre-existing health conditions such as stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and certain heart conditions.

Eligible patients are invited to have a health check, which is carried out in pharmacies and GP surgeries, every five years. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity, disability and health inequalities in England.

“Cardiovascular diseases remain an important public health issue contributing to worsening health inequalities,” the study said.

“Rises over several years in CVD related deaths and increasing burden on the NHS due to morbidity has made CVD a priority for prevention and early management in the UK.”