New heart check can tell if you’re at risk of heart attack or stroke in minutes
A new heart check, which is being rolled out across the NHS, can apparently tell if you're at risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke within minutes.
HeartFlow is predicted to be used on more than 100,000 patients.
It works by turning a regular CT scan into a 3D image, meaning experts can diagnose life-threatening coronary heart disease in just twenty minutes.
The new technology is part of the NHS's Long Term Plan to reduce he number of heart attacks and strokes by 150,000.
Existing tests mean that patients have to go to hospital for an invasive and time-consuming angiogram.
Meanwhile, the HeartFlow technology means patients will be seen, diagnosed and treated five times faster than previously.
After patients have been diagnosed from the 3D image, they will then they given medication, surgery or have a stent fitted.
Meanwhile those with less serious case will be given tips on how to change their lifestyle.
They may also be given cholesterol-lowering medication, which means the risk is quickly resolved before it becomes life-threatening.
People in England will have more access to the technology than people from other countries such as Japan, Europe and the US.
The NHS says the new technology will help get services back on track after delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Previously, it was reported that NHS waiting times had hit a record 4.7 million as urgent cancer referrals fell by 8%.
Year-long waits for elective procedures, such as hip and knee surgery, are also now at their worst level since 2007.
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However, the NHS has vowed that staff are working hard restore services and tackle to backlog.
Matt Whitty, director of innovation and life sciences for NHS England, said: “This latest innovation will help patients and will contribute to helping the NHS to recover from the pandemic as we continue to deliver on our ambitious Long Term Plan commitments to provide patients across the country with the most up to date tech, as quickly as possible.
“HeartFlow has been a huge success in clinical trials and will now help tens of thousands of people a year receive quick diagnosis and treatment and ultimately save lives.”
NHS medical director Stephen Powis said the Long Term Plan aims to cutting strokes, heart attacks and other major killers.. He said improving the rate that the NHS can diagnose heart condition will save "thousands of lives".
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