What will happen at the NHS Health Check?
There are two parts to an NHS Health Check. First, you will be asked a few simple questions and have a few straightforward health tests. These will allow an assessment of your risk of developing four diseases: heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease and also patients who are on the hypertensive list (high blood pressure) as they have yearly recalls.
The check will take around 20 to 30 minutes:
- You’ll be asked some simple questions about your family history, whether or not you smoke and how much alcohol you drink.
- Your height, weight, sex, ethnicity and age will be recorded.
- Your blood pressure will be taken.
- A simple blood test will check your cholesterol level.
- Your body mass index (BMI) will be calculated. BMI is a measure of whether you’re a healthy weight for your height.
After this, Sam (our Health care assistant) will give you your results and explain what they mean. In some instances, tests may have to be sent away for analysis. This means that some people won’t get their test results immediately and may be asked to return at a later date for this discussion.
You’ll have the opportunity to ask for advice and support on maintaining good health, and on lifestyle changes that will help you to improve your health. If necessary, you’ll be offered treatments that will help: for example, medicine to lower raised blood pressure.
If you are aged 65 to 74, you’ll also be given general information about dementia, how to reduce your risk of developing it and where to find more information about it and the type of support services available in your area.
These checks are offered to all 40-74 year olds who do not fit into any of the four categories above (as highlighted). The checks are available on Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays.