NHS Health checks age 40

[Dancinginthelight]

Hello!

Hoping someone can tell me how these go as I approach 40. I have just turned 36 and have 2 little ones.

I understand when you turn 40 you are invited to a health check to assess your risk of various conditions etc.

I have a strong family history of early cardiovascular death (mother age 54 and maternal grandfather age 50) however I have two brothers both over 50 that are fine and mother has siblings in early 60’s also fine.

I do have health anxiety so I don’t want to jump the gun, but definitely want things assessed properly including possibly seeing a cardiologist for preventative measures etc.

So far my health is good. My BP, cholesterol etc are all good, no diabetes, but I’m unsure as to whether I will be able to have more advanced tests at this health check when I’m 40!

For example, there are some genetic things like lipoprotein (a) that I really should have checked given my family history. For my own sanity I’d rather wait until the health check rather than start investigating these things privately and scaring myself, but worried they won’t refer or do anything at said health check.

Are they just a formality or do they actually look to reduce your risk on a case by case basis?

You can see your doctor and talk about the risks / Family history at anytime

You do not have to wait for a health check in 3 years

I’m almost 45 and when I called my GP to try to get one of these checks a few years ago they told me that they didn’t do them in this area. Things like high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease run in my family so I thought it would be better to catch things early but they don’t seem to take that approach here. And yes, I did mention my family history.

I don’t need the private 360 checks. It covers things I’ve had checked already in the last few years! The only thing I’m interested to check is the heart side of things.

I did look at private cardiologists but really this should be an NHS thing given my family history.

Every five years is news to me. I was invited and went aged about 60 but never previously.

I think a problem is that people who do take their health seriously are likely to have them but find no problems, whereas those who know they probably have issues are sometimes in denial or don't want to hear bad news so don't go.

I’m in my sixties and I have never had a health check or had screening. I don’t worry about my health anymore as I would rather not know. I would see the GP if I’m desperately ill - but getting an appointment is very challenging I hear.

Mine was really good. They did bloods for cholesterol & I think kidney function and blood sugar. went back for the results and weight, height, BP etc. They're looking for pre diabetic, pre hypertension etc as it's cheaper to catch it all early. They give you a cardiac risk score which I found very reassuring. I'd definitely go again.

I'm 44 and have never been invited for one.

Your family history is very common and would not lead to extra testing beyond cholesterol on the NHS. Unless your relatives were known to have an inherited cardiac disease.

It's also worth remembering that cardiology has changed dramatically in the last 20 -30 years. And most people's exposure to smoke is much less as well. So outcomes from heart attacks and angina are massively different to the past.

I have these. I'm 60 now and from my recent appointment I'm heading for type 2 diabetes, so I was grateful to get the hba1c so I could make immediate changes to my diet
BMI 21, and my DM was Type 1 but I was surprised. Cholesterol slightly raised too
It only takes 5 minutes and any treatment prevents further issues.
Do try and go because you might find it actually helps ease your health anxiety
Recently had a FIT test too( poo check)

They are very basic OP and I was hugely anemic and deficient in various vitamins and had various serious issues it didn't pick up. It's basically a height and weight check to see if you have diabetes or need to stop smoking. Don't rely on it to find anything that isn't obvious.

I also had kidney and liver function test( no risk factors) but it seems my health centre covers all bases

They're just trying to get your basic health level. IIRC they do a blood test and will further check for diabetes if it looks risky.
I had one at 40 and 50.