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Pop-Up Cardiovascular Screening Within Community Pharmacies and an International Sporting Event
Sean Tan1, Adam J Nelson2, Rahul G Muthalaly1
1Victorian Heart Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Victorian Heart Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Opportunistic pop-up screening identified prevalent cardiovascular risks. Higher rates of uncontrolled risk factors were found at sporting events and rural pharmacies during weekdays.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Public health screening strategies
- Health behavior analysis
Background:
- Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease poses a significant public health burden, leading to widespread mortality and morbidity.
- Population-level screening for cardiovascular risk is hindered by challenges in participant uptake and adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an opportunistic pop-up community screening approach for cardiovascular risk.
- To analyze population differences based on screening station location, day, and time.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study over 7 weeks using participant-operated health stations.
- Data collected included demographics, lifestyle, medical history, and healthcare engagement.
- Stations were deployed in 311 community pharmacies and one stadium during an international sporting event.
Main Results:
- 76,085 participants screened; 68.9% had at least one uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factor (elevated blood pressure, BMI, or smoking).
- Higher prevalence of uncontrolled risk factors was noted at the sporting event compared to pharmacies.
- Rural pharmacies and weekday/daytime screenings showed increased rates of uncontrolled risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Opportunistic pop-up screening effectively identified prevalent cardiovascular risk factors in the community.
- Screening location and timing significantly influenced the characteristics of the captured population and risk factor prevalence.
- Findings suggest tailored deployment strategies for community-based cardiovascular risk screening.
Background:
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. However, screening for cardiovascular risk at a population level remains challenging due to variable uptake and compliance.
Objectives:
This study investigated an opportunistic pop-up approach to community screening for cardiovascular risk and the differences in captured populations according to screening station location and day and time of screening.
Methods:
This prospective observational study was conducted over a 7-week period using a participant-operated health station that recorded demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical history, and engagement with health care. Stations were placed in 311 community pharmacies and a stadium during an international sporting event. The primary outcome was prevalence of an uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factor, defined as elevated blood pressure readings, elevated body mass index, or active smoking.
Results:
A total of 76,085 participants were screened: 68,345 (89.8%) participants at pharmacies and 7,740 (10.2%) at the sporting event. There were 34,430 (45.3%) participants aged ≥45 years, and 39,957 (52.5%) were male. A total of 52,453 (68.9%) participants met the primary outcome: 37.2% had elevated blood pressure readings, 60.5% elevated body mass index, and 12.1% were smokers. Higher rates of the primary outcome were observed at the sporting event compared with pharmacies. Among community pharmacy participants, increased rates of uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors were observed in rural pharmacy locations and during weekday and daytime screening.
Conclusions:
Uncontrolled cardiovascular risk factors were prevalent during opportunistic pop-up community screening, with higher rates observed at the sporting event, rural pharmacies, and during weekday and daytime screening.
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