London-based leisure trust Bromley Mytime has launched a scheme to help local residents reduce their risk of suffering from heart disease and strokes.

Called MyAction, the initiative is among the first of its kind in the UK and has been set up following the results of EuroAction – a European-wide study into family-based cardiology prevention, which aims to set a new standard for preventative cardiology practice for both hospitals and primary care.

Using the results of the study, MyAction is an integrated service based at the Spa leisure centre in Beckenham.

The scheme will target 250 people who are registered as coronary patients or people at high risk of heart disease.

An in-house nurse will co-ordinate a multi-disciplinary team to advise on diet, lifestyle and wellbeing, including increasing activity levels under expert medical supervision.

The programme has three phases – an initial lifestyle assessment, where weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels are also measured; a 16-week course including support from a cardiac specialist nurse, a dietitian and a physical activity specialist and group education and exercise sessions; and a second assessment after the four months.

MyAction is led by Professor David Wood, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Charing Cross Hospital, and Annie Holden, active lifestyle manager for Bromley Mytime, with endorsement from the local PCT and GPs.

Mytime already provides 22,000 annual referral visits from GPs and 14 HeartSmart weekly sessions across Bromley.