NHS HEALTH CHECK
NHS Health Checks at Sage Pharmacy
A simple health check designed to assess your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes.
What is an NHS Health Check?
An NHS Health Check is a free check-up of your cardiovascular health. It helps identify whether you may be at increased risk of conditions including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes, and gives you the opportunity to discuss ways to reduce that risk.
Am I eligible for a free NHS Health Check?
You may be eligible for a free NHS Health Check if you are aged 40 to 74 and do not already have certain existing health conditions.
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Atrial fibrillation
- Previous TIA or stroke
- Heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Already taking medicines such as statins to lower cholesterol
- Previously assessed as having a 20% or higher 10-year cardiovascular disease risk
Eligibility will be confirmed before your NHS Health Check.
Not eligible for an NHS Health Check?
If you do not meet the NHS eligibility criteria, Sage Pharmacy may also offer a private health check for a fee. This allows patients outside the NHS Health Check criteria to have important health measurements assessed and discuss their results with our pharmacy team.
What happens during your Health Check?
Measurements
We’ll take some simple measurements, including your height, weight and waist measurement. These are used to help assess your overall health and calculate factors such as your body mass index (BMI) as part of your Health Check.
Blood Pressure
Your blood pressure will be measured to check whether it is within a healthy range. High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, so checking it can help identify a potential risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems.
Cholesterol & Blood Sugar
A cholesterol test is normally included as part of your NHS Health Check to help assess your cardiovascular risk. Depending on your circumstances, a blood sugar test may also be carried out to check for signs that you could be at increased risk of developing diabetes.
Lifestyle Assessment
We’ll ask some questions about factors that can affect your long-term health, such as smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity. We may also discuss your family medical history to help build a clearer picture of your overall cardiovascular risk.
Understanding your results
Your results will usually be discussed during the appointment or soon afterwards. You will receive an assessment of your cardiovascular risk over the next 10 years, alongside results such as your blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, physical activity and diabetes risk assessment.
Our pharmacy team can also discuss practical ways to reduce your risk, including diet, physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation and reducing alcohol intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some common questions about NHS Health Checks, including eligibility, what happens during your appointment and what to expect from your results.
Who is eligible for a free NHS Health Check?
You may be eligible for a free NHS Health Check if you are aged 40 to 74 and do not have certain pre-existing health conditions. Our pharmacy team can confirm your eligibility before your appointment.
How much does an NHS Health Check cost?
If you meet the NHS eligibility criteria, your NHS Health Check is free of charge. If you are not eligible, Sage Pharmacy may be able to offer a private health check for a fee.
How long does a Health Check take?
An NHS Health Check usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes.
What will be checked during my appointment?
Your check may include measurements such as your blood pressure, height, weight, waist measurement and cholesterol. You will also be asked some questions about your lifestyle and family medical history to help assess your cardiovascular health.
How often can I have a free NHS Health Check?
Eligible adults are normally invited for an NHS Health Check every 5 years.
What happens if my results show that I may be at increased risk?
Your results will be discussed with you and you will receive appropriate health and lifestyle advice. If necessary, you may also be advised to have further tests or follow-up with another healthcare professional.
Take a proactive step towards better health
Book your Health Check with Sage Pharmacy and find out more about your cardiovascular health.
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