Why is an NHS Health Check important?
Everyone has a chance of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and certain types of dementia.
The NHS Health Check has been specifically designed to identify health risks, like the aforementioned, earlier. This is why it is so important to have a health check.
After your health check, you will be given advice on the best action to take to lower any risks and create a healthier lifestyle. This could include anything from diet to exercise or even certain medicines to control blood pressure.
What will the Health Check cover?
It’s a 20-30 minute session where you will be given straightforward health tests such as measurements of weight, height and blood pressure. You will also be asked questions about your family’s medical history and your own medical history and lifestyle.
Who is eligible?
Those between 40 and 74 years old will be invited to an NHS Health Check every five years, as long as they don’t have any of the following pre-existing conditions:
- Heart disease.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Transient ischaemic attack.
- Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia).
- Heart failure.
- Peripheral arterial disease.
- Stroke.
- Currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol.
- Previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years.
If you are younger than the age bracket, you can still be referred to if there is particular concern about your health and current lifestyle choices.
Email us on essex.workingwell@nhs.net or call us on 0300 303 9988 to speak to one of our team about running NHS Health Checks for your staff in your place of work!
