At What Age Should I Get a Health Check?

Many health providers, from private health services to the NHS, offer health checks specifically for those aged 40 and over. You might ask yourself, why 40 and over? This is because the risk of developing certain health conditions increases once individuals pass the age of 40. With early signs and symptoms of these conditions appearing around this life stage, it makes sense to identify issues early on for the best possible health outcomes.

If you are aged 40 or over and are considering a health check, you can opt for the NHS health check route or explore the wide range of personalised private health check services available out there.

NHS Health Checks

Once you have reached the age of 40 you can undergo an NHS health check. Eligible individuals aged 40 to 74 are offered these health checks every five years and are free of charge. The health checks include assessing risk of developing common health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Private Health Checks

Another convenient and easily accessible option is to go for private health checks offered by providers like Bluecrest Wellness. These checks offer more flexibility in terms of frequency, scheduling, location and customisation of assessments based on your individual health needs and preferences.

Private health checks include a wider range of tests and assessments beyond what the NHS offers to individuals over 40. Although private health checks do incur a cost, at Bluecrest Wellness, our full body health checks are affordably priced, making them a cost-effective alternative.

Depending on the health service you go for, the tests included in a typical health test may vary. A private health check provider such as Bluecrest Wellness includes the following tests as part of a top-to-toe health MOT.

Heart Health Checks

A number of heart health checks feature in a full body health assessment, including an ECG test to check on your heart’s rate, rhythm, and electrical signalling. Also, you can expect to be tested for your heart disease and stroke risk using information such as your BMI, blood pressure readings, and cholesterol levels. Furthermore, you may undergo a specific test for the over 40s, for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which assesses your risk of narrowing of the arteries and restricted blood flow to the legs.

Prediabetes Checks

A HbA1c test is by far the most effective way to evaluate average blood glucose levels across a range of two to three months. This test indicates whether you are within the normal range, prediabetic, or diabetic and is more accurate than standard glucose testing.

Essential Proteins and Iron

There are a number of important proteins found in the blood that are required for healthy bodily function, along with iron which is vital for red blood cell production. Should results reveal low levels of these proteins it may be a result of liver or kidney disease. Whilst, low iron levels suggest an iron deficiency which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

Kidney Function Checks

A kidney function blood test checks your levels of sodium, urea, and creatinine as these can point towards issues with kidney function. An eGFR test (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is also included when checking the kidneys. This test calculates the amount of blood filtered through your kidneys over a period of time and evaluates how efficiently your kidneys are working.

Liver Function Checks

The liver function test measures ALP (alkaline phosphatase), ALT (alanine transaminase), Gamma GT (Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase), and bilirubin levels in the blood to evaluate liver function. If the liver is not functioning as it should, this can result in problems with the metabolism, detoxification, immunity, digestion, and more.

Bone Health Checks

In relation to bone health, this test measures the levels of calcium, phosphate and uric acid in your blood. Calcium and phosphate are essential for healthy teeth and bones as well as muscle health and energy function. Deficiencies in these can cause pins and needles, muscle cramps, weakness, and tiredness. Testing uric acid levels can help to identify gout, which is a condition causing pain in the joints.

Lung Function Checks

Using spirometry testing, lung function tests assess respiratory health. Respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) affect how the lungs function, compromising quality of life. Detecting certain conditions early enough can lead to better symptom management and slow progression.

These are just some of the tests and assessments typically included in a health check. The possibilities are endless as you can personalise your health check by adding individual tests addressing your specific health concerns.

Our full body private health checks are designed for busy people who want to take control of their health as they grow older. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, non-invasive procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.

From evaluating lung, kidney, and liver function to assessing heart and lung health, our tests cover a wide range of vital indicators. Additionally, we conduct tests for cholesterol, diabetes (including an HbA1c blood test), protein, iron, and more, providing you with a thorough overview of your health.

Health Assessment Specialists carry out all tests in over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, so you get accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home. Our full health assessments include all the tests you need to take a proactive approach to monitoring and improving your health.

Explore our full body private health checks and book your comprehensive health assessment online today.