You might be feeling great, and we want to help you stay that way!
We know that your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia increases with age. A 20-minute NHS Health Check is like an MOT, it’s designed to spot early signs of these serious conditions and give you personalised advice on how to keep on top of your health.
Even if you’re feeling well, a free NHS Health Check can help you stay in top condition and ensure you don’t miss the moments that matter.
If you’re aged 40 to 74 with no conditions relating to your heart or circulation (cardiovascular conditions) ask your GP practice for a check. If you’re not registered with a GP, visit Be Healthy Bucks.
Don’t wait until something feels wrong - book a check before something has the chance to feel wrong!
What's the check for?
What is the NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your overall health. It can tell you whether you're at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as:
During the check-up you'll also discuss how to reduce your risk of these conditions and dementia. If you're over 65, you will also be told the signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for.
The NHS Health Check takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The health professional will ask you some questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure and do a test.
The check is for people who are aged 40-74 who do not already have conditions relating to their heart or circulation (cardiovascular conditions), and who haven’t had a check in the last five years. Find the full list of excluded conditions.
How will the NHS Health Check help me?
You will have your individual risk of getting conditions related to the heart or circulation (cardiovascular risk) 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.
At your check you will be given personalised advice on how to prevent them. Your NHS Health Check can detect potential health problems before they do real damage.
What happens?
What happens at the NHS Health Check?
An NHS Health Check takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Don’t worry, it’ll be straightforward, with no embarrassing questions or need to get undressed.
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, take your blood pressure and do a blood test. If you're over 65, you’ll 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
Watch the video below or find out more about the NHS Health Check:
Get booking!
How do I book the NHS Health Check?
You can receive the NHS Health Check at your GP practice. The good news is that you don’t need a doctor to do the check - it is usually completed by a nurse or healthcare assistant - so you may find it easier to get an appointment than you think.
If you’re not registered with a GP, you can also register with Be Healthy Bucks to book an NHS Health Check in the community, however some eligibility criteria apply.
If you're in the right age group, you should expect to receive a letter from your GP inviting you for a free NHS Health Check every five years, but you don’t need to wait for the invite.