Three Quarters Of Over 55s Have Never had thier Cholesterol Tested, Despite Knowing Health Risks

• New research by UK healthtech company, PocDoc, finds nearly four fifths (79%) of over 55s know the risks of high cholesterol
• Despite high levels of awareness, the majority (73%) of the same age group have never had their cholesterol levels tested
• NHS waits prompt 41% of Brits to put off seeing a doctor, while over a quarter (27%) defer GP visits to reduce pressure on the health service
• Research released as PocDoc announces launch of its world-first smartphone-based test for high cholesterol, the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease

PocDoc, the leading healthtech company, today reveals the majority (73%) of over 55s have never tested themselves for high cholesterol, despite nearly four fifths (79%) knowing it can lead to cardiovascular disease [CVD], which is often referred to as “heart disease”.

With CVD responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the UK, equivalent to one every three minutes², PocDoc’s research explores British attitudes towards personal diagnostics for cholesterol levels against the backdrop of ever mounting pressure on the NHS.

And it comes as the British healthtech company announces the launch of its world first smartphone-based test for cholesterol, which promises to revolutionise testing for this leading cause of CVD and reduce the strain on the NHS by providing a new and viable alternative for blood testing that is more efficient than traditional, more expensive and time intensive methods.

Brits put off GP visits due to NHS troubles

The research lays bare the impact the NHS’s problems are having on patients, with just over two fifths (41%) of Brits putting off seeing a doctor due to NHS wait times. Women are more likely to defer a GP visit than men, with nearly half of females (48%) citing wait times as an issue, as opposed to a third (33%) of males.

Looking at the picture nationally, Bristolians (51%) are the most likely to cite waiting lists as a reason for putting off a visit to the doctor, with residents of Edinburgh (28%) the least likely to delay a trip to the GP.

And in a sign of the widespread desire to protect the NHS, just over a quarter (27%) of Brits are putting off a doctor’s appointment because they do not want to burden an already overstretched health service.

Openness to personal diagnostics high

Faced by an ageing population and funding constraints, solutions to ease the pressure on the NHS are in high demand. Personal diagnostics are considered to present a major opportunity, while blood testing is seen as ready for disruption.

PocDoc’s research presents a positive picture, with widespread openness to personal diagnostics across the UK. 7 in 10 of Brits (69%) would prefer to take a finger prick blood test than have a needle in their arm and nearly three in five (59%) are willing to receive their test results via smartphone as opposed to waiting for an appointment with a doctor.

PocDoc’s technology is set to revolutionise cholesterol testing in the UK

PocDoc’s cholesterol test is launched today. Its unique and ground-breaking technology allows users with the PocDoc app to deliver an accurate, fully quantitative blood test for their cholesterol levels, measuring 5 key markers associated with heart health – Total Cholesterol, HDL, Non-HDL, Total Cholesterol ratio and Triglycerides. Patients using the test take a simple finger prick blood sample, which they apply to a lateral flow test device (LFT). They then use the PocDoc app to fill out a health questionnaire associated with heart health, take a photo of the LFT and receive their results on the PocDoc app - all within 6 minutes – while a health assessment report is emailed to them in real time, combining their health questionnaire with their actual blood test results.

Following successful trials, the cholesterol test is going to be rolled out via PocDoc’s network of exclusive pharmacy partnerships to power all health checks, before then being offered direct to businesses, the NHS, and then other healthcare providers.

The test is just the start for PocDoc, as it seeks to disrupt the diagnostics market – a market worth $50 billion³. As well as powering the PocDoc tests developed in-house, the company’s cloud AI diagnostics platform digitises any lateral flow test and can power all smartphone-based home diagnostics for healthcare providers. It has already been used in the detection of COVID-19 and polio, and PocDoc’s ambitious product roadmap will see it used for the detection of diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, female hormone imbalance and more.

Steve Roest, CEO and co-founder of PocDoc, commented: “Our research shows many Brits are choosing to put off treatment to reduce the burden on the NHS. But reducing pressure on the NHS shouldn’t have to mean jeopardising your health.

“Easier access to testing is one of the major ways we could alleviate strain on the NHS, as it’s well known that the process for the standard blood test – from drawing blood to the receipt of results – is costly and inefficient.  

“With CVD health care costs in England alone costing £7.4 billion a year ⁴, our revolutionary technology means that Brits can now be tested for cholesterol – one of the major risk factors for CVD - and receive their results within minutes on their smartphone. It’s a significant win for patients as it promises easier testing and earlier detection of this significant threat to health. And it’s also a big win for the NHS, as early detection of high cholesterol can help avoid long and costly treatment down the line. It could save millions per year by helping free up desperately needed clinical time.”