Everyone has a chance of developing heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes or certain types of dementia. The NHS Health check appointment will help you and your health professional to identify your risk earlier. By having this check and following the advice of your health professional, you improve your chances of living a healthier life.
If you’re aged between 40 and 74 and haven’t already been diagnosed with vascular disease or treated for certain risk factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, you will be invited for your NHS Health check every five years. You will usually receive at least one invitation although you may be offered the check when you’re at the Practice for another reason. At Deddington Health Centre the NHS Health checks are carried out by our Nursing Team.
The check will take about 20-30 minutes and you will be asked some standard questions about your family medical history and your lifestyle along with a few straightforward health tests including height, weight and blood pressure.
You’ll then be given advice on what action you can take to lower your risk and improve your chances of a healthier life. This could include suggestions on small changes to your diet or how much exercise you take if your risk is low or moderate.
If you are at higher risk, you may be offered medicines to control your blood pressure, along with help to take action like losing weight or stopping smoking.