Cardiologist’s Kitchen Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of premature mortality and morbidity in the UK. These conditions are predictable through risk factors such as high blood pressure, of which 80% are preventable through diet and lifestyle. 

Most NHS strategies for CVD focus on treating the consequences, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and stroke. Cardiologist’s Kitchen (‘CardioKIT’) is an innovative approach to these conditions that instead focuses on diet and lifestyle at the point of diagnosis, using attractive engagement and behavioural techniques observed in the media and marketing industries. 

Patients are engaged in the initiative through two channels: a physical CardioKIT pack given to patients by health care professionals; and through national, local and social media. 

To evaluate impact, the team used case stories rather than traditional quantitative analysis. This provided an accessible way of demonstrating how the project affects patients. Patient stories over the 12 months of the project include examples of chronic conditions resolving, and medications being reduced or stopped. A selection of the anonymised case stories are posted on the CardioKIT website. 

Using modern media to disseminate within the community has shown to be a successful approach, with stories appearing in the national press, national and local radio, and local television. 

The main challenges were the NHS structure and financial pressures, and key to the success of the project was the passion of the team and the development of a wider network.

The initiative is now in a transitional phase, as future funding options are explored, potentially through a non-NHS partner. 

Contact information

For more information about this project, please contact Dr Ali Khavandi, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bath.