About the service
Heart Health Screening
Cardiovascular risk often stays hidden until symptoms appear. Knowing your risk earlier gives you and your doctor time to plan.
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We now offer a cardiovascular risk assessment that uses a photograph of the back of your eye to estimate your risk of a cardiovascular event over the next five years. It takes only a few minutes, needs no preparation, and involves no needles and no radiation.
Why the eye tells us about the heart
The retina is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be observed directly, without surgery.
Since the ophthalmoscope was invented more than 150 years ago, clinicians have recognised that these vessels reflect changes happening in the wider circulation.
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The assessment uses a clinically validated algorithm to analyse subtle patterns within a standard retinal image, translating those biological signals into a measurable indicator of cardiovascular risk.
What happens at your appointment
How the assessment works
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Your appointment takes place at the clinic with our practice nurse
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A standard retinal camera takes a photograph of each eye
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The image is analysed and your result is produced within minutes
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You receive a printed summary to take away
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There is nothing to prepare beforehand. You can eat and drink normally and continue any medication as usual.
What your result tells you
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A risk score, shown alongside the typical range for your age group
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A risk category of low, moderate or high
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A clear written summary in plain language
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Practical guidance on prevention and on any next steps worth considering
Who it may suit
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Adults who want a clearer picture of their cardiovascular health
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Anyone with a family history of cardiovascular disease
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People who would prefer an assessment without needles or radiation
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Patients already managing blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes who want an additional perspective alongside their usual care
What the assessment does not do
This assessment estimates risk.
It does not diagnose heart disease.
A low result does not rule out heart disease, and a raised result does not mean you have it. The assessment does not replace tests your GP or cardiologist may recommend, such as blood tests, an ECG or imaging, and it is not a replacement for routine checks you may already be offered elsewhere.
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If anything in your result needs looking at further, our doctors will talk it through with you and agree what to do next.
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If you would like to go through your result in detail, review your wider risk factors, or talk about prevention, you can book a face to face appointment with one of our GPs.