The NHS Health Check programme is a national preventative programme which is intended to help people stay healthy for longer. These free health checks are now offered by the majority of GP Practices in Somerset and are available once every 5 years to anyone aged between 40 and 74 with no pre-existing vascular condition.
Why do I need an NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check programme will assess your risk of developing cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. Cardiovascular disease includes:
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Heart disease
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Stroke
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Diabetes
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Kidney disease
Together, these four conditions are the largest cause of death (about a third of all deaths) in the UK. These diseases each affect the body in different ways, but all four are linked by a common set of risk factors. Your risk of developing cardiovascular disease increases with age. However, there are certain things that will put you at even greater risk. These are:
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being overweight
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lack of exercise
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smoking
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high blood pressure
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high cholesterol
Having one of these diseases can increase your risk of developing another.
How do I get a check?
You will be invited by your GP Practice to make an appointment for a NHS Health Check if:
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you are registered with a Somerset GP·
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you are not being treated by your GP for an existing diagnosed vascular condition
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you are aged between 40 and 74 AND your age ends in 0 or 5 (ie 40, 45, 50 etc) during the current year
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AND, you have not had a NHS Health Check in the last 4 years
If you have a current health concern please do not wait.
Contact your GP to discuss.
What happens at the check?
A NHS Health Check appointment takes between 20 to 30 minutes with a Health Care Assistant at your GP Practice. The check will include a pin prick blood test, blood pressure monitoring and questions about your lifestyle and family history. Using this information your risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the following 10 years will be calculated. You will receive information on how you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduce your long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If appropriate you may be referred for further support or for further tests.
How can I get more information?
For more general information about the NHS Health Check programme please visit:
http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/NHSHealthCheck/Pages/NHSHealthCheckwhat.aspx
If you have questions about the NHS Health Check programme in Somerset, or would like to give any feedback, please email the NHS Health Checks team on NHSHealthChecks@somerset.gov.uk
