As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease or type 2 diabetes. Your free NHS Health Check can spot early signs and help prevent these happening to you, which means you'll be more likely to enjoy life for longer.

You can have an NHS Health Check if you're aged 40 to 74 and you have not had a stroke, or do not have a pre-existing health condition. If this applies to you, you can expect to receive a message or letter from us inviting you for an NHS Health Check every 5 years.

If you're not sure if you're eligible for an NHS Health Check and would like one, or if you are eligible but haven't had one in the last 5 years, please contact us.

What happens at the NHS Health Check?

An NHS Health Check takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

The health professional – often a nurse or healthcare assistant – will ask you some questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, and take your blood pressure and do a blood test. The blood test may be done either before the check with a blood sample from your arm, or at the check - often using a small finger-prick test.

Your blood test results can show your chances of getting heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.

If you're over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.

You will then receive personalised advice to improve your risk. This could include talking about:

• how to improve your diet and the amount of physical activity you do

• taking medicines to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol

• how to lose weight or stop smoking

Who is the NHS Health Check for?

The check is for people who are aged 40 to 74 who do not 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

You should have regular check-ups if you have one of these conditions. Your care team will be able to give you more information about this.

How will the NHS Health Check help me?

You will have your individual cardiovascular risk (risk of getting conditions related to the heart or circulation) calculated and explained to you.

While the cardiovascular risk levels vary from person to person, everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and some types of dementia.  You will be given advice on how to prevent them.

Your NHS Health Check can detect potential health problems before they do real damage.

Read more about what happens at an NHS Health Check

Find out about the pros and cons of having an NHS Health Check

Contact Us