India's National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) screens adults at Sub-Health Centres using the opportunistic screening approach called 'Population-Based Screening'. For cardiovascular risk, the PRIMARY screening tool used at community level is:

• A Fasting serum lipid profile for all adults above 30 years
• B WHO CVD risk prediction charts using age, sex, smoking, SBP and total cholesterol
• C Blood pressure measurement and blood glucose (CBAC questionnaire) for persons ≥ 30 years, with referral based on risk score ✓
• D ECG and echocardiography at district hospitals for high-risk individuals

Explanation

NPCDCS at sub-district level uses the Community-Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) questionnaire plus measurement of blood pressure and blood glucose in all individuals ≥ 30 years attending health facilities ('opportunistic screening'). The CBAC captures tobacco/alcohol use, dietary habits, physical activity, family history and blood pressure/glucose measurements; risk scores determine referral pathways. Formal WHO CVD charts requiring cholesterol levels are not routinely deployed at SHC level due to resource constraints. ECG/echo are reserved for high-risk referral chains.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.