Health Assessment Guide: What to Expect

Here's everything you need to know before your Bluecrest health assessment.

We can't wait to welcome you. To help you feel confident and prepared, and to get the most out of your visit, here's your complete guide to what's in store.

A quick health check before you come

• If you've had diarrhoea or vomiting, please wait at least 48 hours after symptoms clear before attending – this keeps everyone safe. Taking antibiotics for a new illness? Please rearrange your appointment, as infections can affect certain test results.
• Make sure to arrive hydrated to increase your chance of having a successful blood draw.
• Stop vitamins and supplements at least 3 days before your assessment for the most accurate blood results.
• Go easy on alcohol the day before and on the day itself.

Arriving at your assessment

When you arrive at the venue, reception will direct you to the waiting room. The waiting room isn’t supervised so the health assessment specialist will come and collect you when they're ready.

Who you'll meet

Your Health Assessment Specialist is fully trained in phlebotomy (blood-taking) and will guide you through every step. They'll take some key measurements and a couple of small blood samples during your appointment. They're warm, professional, and brilliant at putting people at ease.

One thing to note: our team are health and wellbeing specialists, not medically trained clinicians. For any health concerns, your GP or pharmacist is your go-to.

What to wear

You won't need to undress. Wear loose, comfortable clothes with sleeves and trouser legs you can roll up easily. Your specialist will need to attach small probes and cuffs to your wrists, upper arm, and lower legs.

Top tips for the best results

• Hydrate well. Drink several glasses of water the evening before and the morning of your assessment – it makes a real difference to your blood draw.
• Wear trainers or walking shoes. You won't be able to do the step fitness test in unsecured footwear.
• Speak up. Tell your specialist about any painful limbs, varicose veins, or anything that may affect the tests. They'll adapt where they can.
• Take-home kits. No need for any samples on the day – any urine, stool, and HPV kits will be given to you to complete at home in your own time.

What happens in a health assessment?

We undertake several tests in all our packages, these are the common tests that we will carry out.

Height

We'll measure your height using a stadiometer – a precise standing height gauge. We'll ask you to remove your shoes for an accurate reading, then stand on the base plate with your back against the measure. Simple, quick, done.

Biometric analysis (body composition)

This test goes well beyond just weight – it analyses 13 measurements including muscle mass, visceral fat, and total body water. You'll stand barefoot on smart scales while foot sensor pads send a low, safe electrical signal through your body. Results are uploaded to our software for full analysis.

This test requires you to weight-bear on both legs. Let your specialist know in advance if this could be an issue.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

The ECG gives us a detailed picture of your heart's electrical activity, including rate and rhythm. You'll lie on a bed while small stickers are placed on your wrists and lower legs – then simply stay still while the machine records the traces. All results are sent to our specialist laboratory for analysis and reporting.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) test

This test detects the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries – an early indicator of cardiovascular risk. It's offered to customers aged 40–79, as results outside this age range can be unreliable. You'll lie on a bed while blood pressure cuffs are placed on your lower leg and upper arm. The cuffs inflate firmly, it can feel a little uncomfortable, but it passes quickly. You can ask your specialist to stop the PAD test at any point, no questions asked.

If you have a painful limb or varicose veins, please tell your specialist before the test, they'll use the other side where possible.

Phlebotomy (blood draw)

A small blood sample will be taken for lab analysis. Your specialist will check both arms and select the vein that looks most accessible, using a tourniquet (a tight band) to help. They'll work as gently as possible. You may feel a brief sting with the needle, but it's over quickly. Afterwards, a little cotton wool and pressure keeps things tidy and reduces bruising.

Hydration is the single biggest factor in a successful blood draw. Drink several glasses of water the evening before and again on the morning of your assessment.

Some mild bruising or tenderness at the site is completely normal for a few days after. On rare occasions a blood draw is unsuccessful, if this happens, your specialist will try up to three times. You can ask them to stop at any point and a reassessment will be arranged.

Grip strength (hand dynamometry)

A quick measure of your muscle strength – you simply squeeze a handheld device as hard as you can. It takes just a few seconds and is a surprisingly powerful indicator of overall physical health.

If you have joint problems or bone and muscle pain, let your specialist know – this test can cause some discomfort.

Lung function test

You'll hold a small handheld device and blow into it as hard and fast as you can – like blowing out birthday candles with everything you've got. You'll repeat this at least three times so we capture a consistent reading.

Some people feel briefly lightheaded after this test. If that happens, stop immediately, sit down, and take a moment – it passes quickly.

Step fitness test

This is the most active part of your assessment! You'll step on and off a raised platform for three minutes while your specialist monitors your heart rate and oxygen levels using a simple clip-on finger device. Every minute, you'll be asked to rate how hard you feel you're working on a scale of 0–10.

Trainers or walking shoes are required – you won't be able to complete this test without safe footwear. Only proceed if you feel confident with your balance and coordination. If you experience any chest pain on exercise, skip this one and let your specialist know.

Additional samples

During the health assessment you won't be required to produce any additional samples. Any urine, stool, and HPV (cervical cancer test) kits will be given to you to take and collect at home.

Want to chat this through? Give us a call on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.