The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health for adults aged 40 to 74*. It can tell you whether you’re at higher risk of getting certain health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke or dementia.
What happens at the NHS Health Check
An NHS Health Check takes about 20 to 30 minutes. A health professional from your GP practice – often a nurse or healthcare assistant – will ask you some questions about your lifestyle and family history.
They will also
- Ask you your age, sex, ethnicity
- Check your height and weight
- Take your blood pressure
- Do a blood test (this may be done either before or at the check)
How will the NHS Health Check help
Your NHS Health Check can detect potential health problems before they do real damage.
Based on your results, you will get your individual cardiovascular risk (risk of getting conditions related to the heart or circulation) explained to you.
You will also receive personalised advice to reduce your risks, such as how to improve your diet and the amount of physical activity you do, how to lose weight or stop smoking, and, if required, talk to you about medicines to help lower your blood pressure or cholesterol.
Where to get an NHS Health Check
Please get in touch with your GP surgery to make an appointment.
For further information about the NHS Health Check, go to NHS Health Check.
*eligible criteria – for people without pre-existing health conditions such as stroke, heart failure, or atrial fibrillation.