NHS Health Checks

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What is an 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 heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke.

health check

At the NHS Health Check a healthcare professional will ask you:

  • your age
  • your ethnicity
  • whether you smoke
  • how much alcohol you drink, if any
  • how much exercise you do
  • whether any close relatives have had any of the diseases being checked for

You will also:

  • be weighed and measured (height) - and from this your body mass index (BMI) will be calculated
  • have your blood pressure measured
  • have your cholesterol level measured

If your healthcare professional thinks you might have diabetes, you will need to have your blood glucose level measured. You may also be referred for further tests based on your initial results, for example, you may be referred for an ECG which measures how well your heart is pumping.

Who is this for?

The check is for people who are aged 40 to 74. The check aims is to lower your risk of getting conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.  If you already have these diseases, then you do not need a health check. This is because it covers the same things that you will already be having checked in your regular appointments to manage your condition.
Many of the warning signs for these conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, do not have symptoms.

The NHS Health Check helps you find out if you are at risk of getting these conditions. You can then take action to improve your health. This could include making lifestyle changes or taking medicines.

How do I get an appointment?

If you are eligible for an NHS health check, your registered surgery will contact you for an appointment.  If you have not been invited in for an appointment by your 50th birthday please contact your GP surgery via their website to enquire about the NHS Health check. 

Where?

Clinics take place at the following sites:

Pembroke Health Centre
Pembroke Road
Ruislip
HA4 8NX

Link 1A, Civic Centre
High Street
Uxbridge
Middlesex
B8 1UW

Devonshire Lodge
2A Abbotsbury Gardens
Pinner
HA5 1TG

Acorn Medical Centre
149 Long Lane
Uxbridge
UB10 9JN

The High Street Practice
Yiewsley Health Centre
20 High Street
West Drayton
UB7 7DP

Central Uxbridge Surgery
George Street
Uxbridge
UB8 1UB

Frequently Asked Questions

I understand that if I already have certain conditions that I will not need to come for a Health Check, which conditions are these?

You will not be invited for a Health Check if you already have any of the following conditions.  This is because the checks that you would have are already covered by your regular appointments for any of these.

  • 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
  • currently being prescribed statins to lower cholesterol
  • previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years

What do I need to wear?

You should wear comfortable, loose clothing when attending an NHS Health Check appointment as you will have to roll up your sleeve to have your blood pressure measured. You may also have a blood sample taken from your arm to measure your cholesterol level, although this is often done as a "finger-prick" test.

Can I ask for a specific person?

If you would like to book at a specific site, a specific person or want to specify if you would like a male or female, please request this while booking the appointment with your GP.