Connecting with communities, especially in areas most at risk, is crucial to saving and improving lives. And in 2007 the BHF linked up with the most detailed health project ever undertaken. UK Biobank aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including heart disease, for future generations, by building a research resource based on the health and lifestyles of 500,000 people aged 40-69 years. To help the participants, the BHF teamed up with UK Biobank to offer them a heart health evaluation right now.

The first checks were conducted in Manchester in September 2007. BHF Risk Nurses checked blood pressure and cholesterol and worked with participants on improving their lifestyles. We also established risk sites in three other UK Biobank centres in Scotland and northern England. In all, 37 BHF Risk Nurses helped over 7,000 participants, 97% of whom felt they'd gained a better understanding of how to lower their risk of heart disease. Sheila Varley from Rochdale, told us: "The risk assessment was excellent, and I came away feeling very positive and much better informed about my heart health. I knew I was a bit overweight, but I was surprised to learn that my cholesterol and blood pressure were high. The advice the BHF Risk Nurse gave me has been very helpful - I've joined a walking group and changed my diet. And it's not just me that's benefited - friends have told me it was a real help to them too."

As well as working with UK Biobank, we'll be launching an outreach risk service in the north of England, focusing on locations where health inequalities exist.

To find out more about how to keep your heart healthy, please visit bhf.org.uk For more information on BHF Heart Nurses and how you can help them to help others, please visit bhf.org.uk/heartnurses