We take a closer look at what kind of health check-ups are available & what you can expect from these…
No matter what age you are, it’s super important to take care of your health. Preventative measures – think eating well, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and heavy drinking – can help to keep you in tip top shape.
Health check-ups can also be a good way to gain insights into your health. They can be beneficial for early detection of specific conditions or they can give you peace of mind that everything is working as it should in your body.
In the UK, there are various options available to you when it comes to health checks. If you’re over the age of 40 you might be eligible for an NHS Health Check, there are also private tests available that you can pay for, plus various at-home test options that can give you information on your health.
Here, we take a look at these different health check options, looking at what you can expect from these and the benefits of each.
How to ease health check-up worries
Now, it’s understandable that a lot of people are a little bit worried about going to the doctor. You might not want to get checked out because of time constraints or maybe it’s because you have anxious feelings around what your check-up results might be.
Just know, it’s really normal to feel worried or to fear the worst. But there’s a few things you can do to help ease these niggling thoughts.
Firstly, try to adjust your frame of mind a bit. View a trip to the GP or a health check as problem-solving, and remember that if your tests do find anything, it’s best to know as early as possible.
Prior to your test, try to get as much information as you can from your healthcare professional. This is your chance to ask any questions and to understand what you can expect from the tests.
In some instances, you can try to make the experience as comfortable as possible. For example, if you’re nervous, see if you can bring a loved one with you.
NHS Health Check-up
The NHS Health Check is a free assessment of your general health. It’s available for people aged 40 to 74 who don’t have any of the following 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
It’s also not available if you’re currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol or previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years.
If you do have any of these conditions, you should already be having regular check-ups with your healthcare provider. If you aren’t, speak to your GP for more information.
How do I get an NHS Health Check?
You’ll be invited every five years by your GP or local council, but if you think you’re eligible and haven’t been invited, be sure to contact your GP practice to see if you can book in. If your specific GP surgery doesn’t offer the NHS Health Check, they may be able to advise where else in your area you can go to get one.
What should I expect from the NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check will be done by a healthcare professional, either a nurse, healthcare assistant, doctor or pharmacist. It will take around 20 to 30 minutes and usually includes:
- Height and weight measurement
- Waist measurement
- A blood pressure test
- A cholesterol test
You’ll also be asked some questions about your health, such as whether you smoke, drink alcohol and how much physical activity you do.
Usually, you’ll be told your results during the appointment, and you’ll have the chance to discuss these with the healthcare professional. You’ll be given your cardiovascular risk score of developing a heart or circulation problem, such as heart disease, stroke or type 2 diabetes, over the next 10 years. This may be described as low, moderate or high.
They may also provide advice on how you might be able to improve your health if needed. You might also be referred to local services, such as stop smoking and physical activity services, to help you get started with any changes that might need making.
What are the benefits of the NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check can help you find out if you’re at risk of getting conditions that affect your heart and blood vessels, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, so you can take necessary action to help improve your health.
It may also be able to detect other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, preventable cancers and respiratory illness.
Health MOT* at Boots
If you want insights into your health, you could also pop into one of our participating pharmacies for a free Health MOT. This includes the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service,** and optional waist circumference and BMI check.
This is available for people over 40, who live in England and don’t have a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure. If you’re under 40, you might be eligible if your GP has referred you to have a blood pressure check or if you have hypertension in your family history (though this will be at the pharmacist’s discretion).
How do I get a Boots Health MOT?
All you need to do is book an appointment, either in-store or online here.
What to expect from the Boots Health MOT?
During your appointment you’ll have your blood pressure checked, plus you’ll have the option to have your BMI calculated and your waist circumference measured.
After your health check, you’ll be provided with your results, and offered advice and guidance to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. If necessary, you might also be referred to your GP for further support.
What are the benefits of the Boots Health MOT?
It’s thought that around five million adults in the UK have undiagnosed high blood pressure, so it’s super important to get checked out to keep an eye on your health.
What other Boots health checks are available to me?
If you’re not eligible for the Health MOT and you’re over 18, you can take the Better You Healthier You Review quiz^ to discover whether your health is on track.
You could also try at-home tests to better understand your health and stay on top of your physical wellbeing. From iron deficiency and heart health to weight management and energy levels, we’ve got a variety of different home self-testing kits to help you get to grips with your health. It’s important to note though, that these tests can’t diagnose health conditions, so speak with your GP if you have any concerns before making any changes or starting any treatments.
There are also various private health checks that you can get at your local Boots pharmacy too. These include the Diabetes HbA1c In-Store Testing Service^^ – which can test for prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes – and the Mole Scanning Service† which works with ScreenCancer to provide an assessment of moles and pigmented lesions.
Private health check-up options
There are also lots of different health check-ups available from private providers. The exact tests will vary by provider, but they can include (but are not limited to) tests for:
- Heart health
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Haemoglobin levels
- Cancer screening
- Mental health
- Sleep quality
It’s important to note though that you will have to pay for a private health check-up.
As discussed, health check-ups can be a great preventative measure, so make sure to get booked in if you’re eligible for a test. If you do feel unwell though at any stage in life or have any concerns, be sure to go and get checked by your GP. Catching things early is really important, so if anything in your body doesn’t feel quite right it’s good to get it looked at.
And don’t forget you could also pop to your local pharmacy to get advice and treatment for seven common health conditions through the NHS Pharmacy First service.††
Frequently asked questions
Can I request a full health check from my GP?
If you think you’re eligible for an NHS Health Check and you haven’t been invited to book in, you can get in touch with your GP practice. As we’ve mentioned though, you have to be aged between 40 and 74 and have none of the specified pre-existing conditions.
You can’t request which tests you get from the GP though, so if you want a comprehensive full body check-up you might like to choose a private health check.
What is a routine health check-up?
For those aged under 40, there is no specific ‘routine’ health check-up that you can get in the UK. The health check-up you might get will depend on personal circumstances, eligibility, what you want tested and whether you’re happy to pay.
However, for those aged 40 to 74 (with none of the specified pre-existing conditions), the NHS Health Check is available and usually involves a blood pressure check, a cholesterol check and a height, weight and waist measurement.
