An NHS Health Check is essentially an MOT for your body. It is designed to spot the early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. The check helps find ways to lower this risk.
Find out about Ron’s story to see why you should book yours today.
How do I book my NHS Health Check?
If you don’t have a pre-existing condition, you should get a letter from your GP inviting you for a free check every five years. You can also book your check through Healthy Sandwell. We can find and book appointments at locations and times that suit you.
A Health Check takes about 20-30 minutes.
The health professional will ask you some simple questions about your lifestyle and family history, measure your height and weight, take your blood pressure and do a blood test – often using a small finger prick test.
Based on this, they will be able to give you an idea of your chances of getting heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.
You will then receive personalised advice to lower your risk.
You don’t need to wait until then to make healthy changes, take the One You quiz below and visit the other pages on this site to make the changes you need to be a healthier, happier you!
If you are concerned about Type 2 Diabetes, check out our advice now.