NEARLY half of those tested in free health checks at the Phoenix Stores in recent months were shown to be at high risk of coronary heart disease and more than three-quarters were overweight.

Other shocking revelations from the survey, which screened 276 people aged between 19 and 92, were that 43 per cent were classified as obese, 40 per cent suffered from high blood pressure and 32 per cent said they did no exercise.

Dr. Leonard Gibbons, health promotion co-ordinator with the Department of Health, said the results that were revealed yesterday could not be taken as typical for the entire Bermuda population, but he was nevertheless concerned.

He added that most of the factors contributing to heart disease risk were controllable and that those found to be at high risk could drastically improve their health with lifestyle changes.

"We've got to try and get our people moving," said Dr. Gibbons, bemoaning the way that the often-sedentary modern lifestyle was damaging the population's health.

Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, excess weight, diabetes and lack of exercise. Uncontrollable factors are increasing age and a family history of heart disease before the age of 55. Of those tested, 48 per cent were categorised as high risk.

A staggering 76 per cent were classed as overweight, of which 43 per cent were obese. The results were better on cholesterol, with 60 per cent having an ideal cholesterol level and just 20 per cent a high level.

The tests were carried out by the Department of Health's community nurses in pharmacies around the island from late May up until last week.

Dr. Gibbons said that everyone tested had been mailed a personal coronary risk profile detailing what risk factors affected them and what they could do to reduce the risk.

"These figures can't be taken as typical for the island because it's possible that many of the people who came in for tests were already concerned about their health," said Dr. Gibbons.

"It's important that we get out the message that people need to think about going to their physicians even when they don't feel there's anything wrong with them. Everyone needs to get their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar tested regularly."

He added that even when arteries were 80 per cent clogged up, people would not necessarily be able to feel anything was wrong - yet they could be close to a heart attack.

One of the encouraging aspects of the survey, said Dr. Gibbons, had been an improvement in the health of some people who had been tested in its early weeks and had followed up with a return visit to find their readings had improved, thanks to lifestyle adjustments.

"Those who came for an early screening and then came back later, almost all of them improved their cholesterol and blood pressure," said Dr. Gibbons. "That is what we like to see happening. People trying to modify their lifestyle and coming back for another check."

The Department of Health nurses have visited some companies, offering various health checks to staff and Dr. Gibbons felt this was an excellent way of raising people's health awareness - especially if follow-up visits were made.

High-fat foods such as national favourites macaroni cheese and fish sandwiches had probably contributed to the alarming survey results, said Dr. Gibbons.

""I wouldn't tell people to eliminate foods like that from their diet, because when you do that nothing tends to happen," he said.

"What I would say is that people should try to eat foods not as concentrated with high fat and do it gradually, say, first cutting the fat by a quarter, then by another quarter.

"Over time, you can train your taste buds to like healthier foods. Myself, I consumed a lot of fatty foods when I was much younger. Fast foods have an addictive quality. Now I prefer foods with less fat and less sugar. It's just a matter of getting used to it.

"The research shows that there is room for improvement in people's diet, exercise and weight control which impacts their risk for heart disease. The steps necessary to live a long and healthy life are simple things such as taking a brisk walk each day, reducing fat intake and eating more foods such as beans, fruits, oats and vegetables."

Health checks outside the surgery had an appeal to those people who were nervous about going to see a doctor and that was one reasons why the checks had proved so popular, said Pauline Girling, head of marketing and communications for the Phoenix Stores.

"I think it's all about the comfort level," said Ms Girling. "You hear people say, 'I don't want to go to the clinic, it's much better to see the nurses on site'. The nurses say they enjoy the sessions. I would imagine that the people they see are more relaxed, which makes it an easier consultation for them."

Ms Girling confirmed that the Phoenix Stores hoped to repeat the screening in the future and added: "Hopefully people will have walked away from the health check session with a renewed purpose to lead a healthier lifestyle and have a health check on a regular basis."