The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of the health of your heart and blood vessels. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or stroke. During the check-up you’ll discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions.
The NHS health check is available to patients aged 40 to 74 years old, every 5 years, and who do not have any of the following pre-existing conditions, as patients with any of these conditions are already seen annually.
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Atrial fibrillation
- Stroke/Transient ischaemic attack
- Inherited high cholesterol (Familial hypercholesterolemia)
- Heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Currently being prescribed medicines such as statins to lower cholesterol
The NHS Health Check is completed by a healthcare assistant nurse and takes about 20 minutes. During the review, we will measure your height, weight and waist, check your blood pressure, and take blood to check your cholesterol. You will also be asked some questions about your health, including how much you drink, smoke and exercise. Your age, sex and ethnicity will also be recorded. The results of your NHS Health Check results will be sent to you soon after you appointment, once the results of the blood test come back.
You’ll be given your cardiovascular risk score, which shows your risk of developing a heart or circulation problem, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes or kidney disease, over the next 10 years. The nurse may describe this risk score as low, moderate or high. Everybody’s cardiovascular risk rises with age, so the next time you have an NHS Health Check your risk score may be higher, even if your test results are the same.
There are some things about your risk which you cannot change, such as your age, ethnicity and family history. But some of the most important factors in your risk score (such as smoking, your cholesterol level and blood pressure) can be changed. At the end of your NHS Health Check, you will have the chance to discuss your results and how to improve your scores, including where you can get support.
The NHS Health Check aims to lower your risk of getting conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. It helps you take action to reduce your risk.
Having an NHS Health Check is important because many of the warning signs for these conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, do not have symptoms.
The NHS Health Check helps you find out if you are at risk of getting these conditions so you can take action to improve your health. This could include making lifestyle changes or taking medicines. The risk factors assessed during the health check are often shared by other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, preventable cancers and respiratory illness. An NHS Health Check could help you to reduce your chance of getting these conditions too.
You don’t need to contact the practice to arrange an NHS health check. Our admin team will invite you when you become eligible, normally during the month of your birth every five years.
Further information can be found at www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check.
