Health checks for the over 40s: what do they mean for you?
Publication Date:02/04/2008
You may have read reports of government plans to offer a health check every five years to everyone in England between the ages of 40 and 74. It is hoped the checks will help prevent thousands of people getting heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. But what will they mean in practice? We look at the tests you'll be offered and the advice you'll be given to reduce your personal risk.
What do we know already?
Heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease are all types of vascular disease. The vascular system includes the heart and blood vessels. It carries blood around the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to organs and body tissues. If the vascular system is damaged, your risk of vascular disease increases. Some things increase your chances of getting vascular disease. These include:
- Being overweight
- Not taking much exercise
- Smoking
- Having high blood pressure
- Having higher than normal blood glucose levels
- Having abnormal blood fat levels (such as high cholesterol).
Once you have one vascular disease, the chances of getting other vascular diseases increases. But you can reduce your risk by changing your lifestyle or getting treatment for things that you can't change so easily, such as high blood pressure.
Vascular disease causes more ill-health and long-term disability than any other disease in England. It kills 170,000 people every year and affects the lives of four million people.
What does the new report say?
The new report proposes a screening programme to check the health of everyone in England aged 40 to 74 every five years. The Department of Health says this will help save lives and prevent thousands of cases of vascular disease every year. It also says that the screening programme will help to improve the health of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society who may not use the health services very much.
Some people already have health tests, such as having their blood pressure checked, because they go to see their doctor for another reason. But people who aren't registered with a GP, or who don't go to the doctor very often, might miss out. When the screening programme is up and running, health checks will be available in pharmacies as well as other clinics in the community. It's hoped that people who wouldn't usually go to their doctor will go for checks here.
Where does the report come from?
The report comes from the Department of Health for England. It is called Putting prevention first.
What does this mean for me?
If you're aged between 40 and 74 you can expect to get an invitation for a vascular health check at some point during the five years starting from around April 2009. You should be told where you can get the health check, whether at the GP's surgery or elsewhere. The check will be carried out by a health professional: a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
At the check, you'll be weighed and have your height measured. You will also be asked questions about whether you smoke and take exercise, and whether there has been any vascular disease such as stroke or diabetes, in your family. You'll also have a blood test to check the fat levels in your blood. If you're thought to be at risk of kidney disease or diabetes you might have other tests as well.
After the health check you should be told whether you are at risk of vascular disease, whether you already have a problem, and what you can do about it.
- You may be at low risk. You'll be given advice about how to stay healthy.
- You may be at moderate risk. You'll be given some advice on how to lower your risk. For example, if you smoke, you might be referred to a stop smoking service.
- You may be at high risk. You may be prescribed medicines to reduce your blood pressure or high cholesterol. You'll also be given advice on how you can change your lifestyle to reduce your risk.
- If you are told you have a vascular disease, such as angina or diabetes, you'll need treatment.
What should I do now?
The screening programme won't start until next year, and it could be up to five years more before you get a letter inviting you to take part. But you don't need an invitation to make changes to your lifestyle that can protect you from vascular disease.
- Follow a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains and not too much fat or sugar. If you are overweight, get advice from a health professional about the best way to get to a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly. The Department of Health recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. Moderate exercise is where you can feel your heart beating faster and you get warm. It could be walking briskly. You don't have to do 30 minutes all at once, you can break it up into ten minute intervals.
- If you're a smoker, there are plenty of good treatments that can help you quit. You have a better chance of quitting if you get professional support and advice.
- If you already have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or kidney disease make sure you follow your doctor’s advice, including taking any medicines your doctor prescribes.
From:
Department of Health. Putting prevention first. Available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
To learn more about vascular diseases see our information on heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes type 2.
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
