If you live in Liverpool, are aged between 40 and 74, and don’t have a pre-existing heart-related condition, you will soon be receiving a letter about NHS Health Checks.
NHS Health Checks are a free, routine assessment designed to keep your heart healthy. They focus on preventing major causes of illness in Liverpool, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. These conditions are often avoidable and manageable, and a health check can help with that. If you are eligible, you will be invited by a GP practice to attend for a health check. You may be asked to attend a different practice to the one you are registered with, but it will be local to you.
There’s absolutely no need to worry about being called in for a check – the aim is to prevent illness, and a few minutes spent on your own health now could add years to your life.
Prior to the health check, you will be required to have a blood test. This can be taken at numerous venues across the city, at your convenience – the practice which writes to you will give you the details. The results will be available when you go for your health check appointment.
The health check itself will take about 15 minutes. Cholesterol levels will be measured from the blood sample, your blood pressure and pulse rate will be taken. Height and weight will also be taken to measure your BMI (body mass index). A discussion about family history, smoking status, age and ethnicity and levels of physical activity also forms part of the check as these factors can contribute to your risk.
If you are low-risk, you will be recalled for a similar check after five years. If you are found to be higher risk, you will be offered follow-up care. This may just mean some simple lifestyle advice, and you can discuss this during your appointment.
For some people, the health check may highlight that they are already suffering from conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If this is the case, you may be given advice on how to bring these readings down by making lifestyle changes and asked to visit your GP again within an agreed timeframe to repeat the test. It may be that medication to lower blood pressure or cholesterol is thought to be more appropriate for you and you will be referred to the doctor to have this medication prescribed.
NHS Health Checks are a national programme. They are being introduced locally by Liverpool Primary Care Trust, which plans NHS care for the city.