Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Scottish Government launch heart and lung checks

• Five-year partnership builds on CHSS’s Health Defence Hub model. 
• Free checks will identify risks earlier and connect people with personalised support. 

• The programme will begin in Dundee, Glasgow and Grampian, with a fourth location planned next year. 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) has announced a five-year partnership with the Scottish Government to deliver Healthy Heart and Lung Checks in communities facing the greatest barriers to good health. 

Backed by Scottish Government funding – an indicative investment of £3 million over the five-year partnership – and supported by local NHS services, the programme will build on CHSS’s Health Defence Hubs to identify cardiovascular and respiratory risks earlier and help prevent avoidable illness. 

Checks will include blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate, cholesterol and pulse measurements, plus a lifestyle assessment. Each person will receive practical, tailored advice. 

The programme will focus on people more likely to experience poor health outcomes and less likely to use traditional services. 

CHSS’s hubs in Glasgow, Tayside and Grampian have already supported thousands of people. In 2025/26 alone, staff and volunteers helped 3,184 people across the three sites. 

Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, said: “Around one in five people in Scotland are living with a chest, heart or stroke condition, and we know too many opportunities to prevent serious illness are missed because risks are identified too late.  

“Our Health Defence Hubs take prevention directly into communities, helping people understand their health, identify risks earlier and access support before life-changing conditions develop or worsen.  

“People facing the greatest barriers to good health are often the least likely to access traditional services. This five-year partnership and £3.2 million investment will help us reach communities experiencing poorer health outcomes and tackle inequalities that continue to affect too many people across Scotland.  

“By working with the Scottish Government, the NHS and local communities, we can prevent avoidable illness, improve health and give more people a fairer chance of living longer, healthier lives. Together, we can help build a healthier Scotland, now and for the future.”  

Tayside local, Carol, a 62-year-old full-time unpaid carer, has shared the impact this community-based approach has had to protect her own health. 

After a CHSS pop-up check at Dundee’s Olympia Centre showed a higher-than-expected reading, Carol was prompted to visit the Tayside hub, where an additional test confirmed her levels were higher than the healthy range.  

At first, Carol did not arrange another appointment. She hoped the issue might resolve itself and took comfort from having previously been healthy. A follow-up text from David – the CHSS Health Defence Lead for the area – proved pivotal, prompting her to return to the Hub. 

Carol said: “If he hadn’t sent that follow-up text, I would have done nothing about it. I would have kept telling myself, ‘My blood pressure has always been fine, I’m a fairly healthy person and I’ve no health issues.’” 

With regular appointments with CHSS, within a matter of months her reading had returned to a healthy level. She also received cholesterol, weight and other routine checks. 

Local appointments made ongoing support manageable alongside her caring responsibilities and Carol now encourages friends and peers to take advantage of the support available.  

“I tell everyone about the Hub and CHSS and how it’s been a great help for me,” she said. “Please don’t wait until you’re unwell.” 

Speaking on the partnership with CHSS, First Minister John Swinney, who will visit the Tayside hub today (Thursday 20 August), said: “We know illnesses related to heart and lung issues affect too many families in Scotland. As our population ages and our healthcare system faces growing pressure, proactive measures to keep people healthier are more important than ever.   

“These healthy heart and lung checks will not only help identify people at risk of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions at an earlier stage but will also empower people to make better, more informed decisions about their health in a way which works for them.   

“They will also help reach people who might not otherwise come forward, particularly in more disadvantaged communities where the burden of ill health is greatest.   

“Alongside existing services, our new GP walk-in clinics and additional investment in planned care, my government is delivering a strengthened NHS by reducing pressure on acute services and enabling people to get the care they need, when and where they need it.”