What is a Health Check?
A Health Check is an opportunistic appointment which looks for the potential of developing medical conditions or picking up the early signs of diseases and conditions that the patient was not aware of. Sometimes a health check is used to tune up existing conditions for better control and an opportunity to talk through education and improvement techniques
Different factors can impact how regularly health checks should be completed such as:
- Age
- Occupation
- Family history
- Existing medical problems
- Smoking and alcohol consumption history
The Benefits of Regular Health Check-Ups
There are many benefits to regular health checks such as:
- Early diagnosis of medical conditions, especially those with limited or no symptoms (things you might notice day to day)
- Prevention of damage to body organs resulting from undiagnosed conditions
- Improvement in outcomes for some cancers through earlier diagnosis or detection
- Ability to optimise health or change lifestyle to combat early signs of disease or risk of developing them
- Tune up on management of existing conditions to get better control and an opportunity to discuss with a doctor about current medication
- Reduce the Risk of Getting Sick
The best approach to good health and a long healthy life is a preventative approach to illness. This means finding out about your risk of developing disease or early signs and symptoms that you may have developed a chronic disease such as diabetes or high blood pressure. If you can reduce your risk of developing disease through education and instruction whilst having a health check it can reduce your risk of developing conditions such as a heart attack or stroke, which are common complications of undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes and hypertension.
Health Screening can help to identify those individuals who are at higher risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, this allows changes to be started earlier in life to help prevent this disease from progressing or even causing symptoms in the individual.
Increases Chances for Treatment and Cure
Screening for conditions such as prostate cancer in older men (over 50), breast cancer in women and cervical cancer in women can help to identify disease in its earlier stages which is associated with better outcomes and higher rates of complete remission of disease. Health Screening can help to pick up signs and symptoms of these diseases alongside blood tests to help detect disease earlier.
For more information about the importance of health screening for women, follow this link here
Increase Lifespan and Improve Health
Some conditions, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), deterioration in kidney function (CKD) and even diabetes (Type 2) can be present in the background with little to no symptoms. These conditions can cause damage to organs for many years before being picked up often during a presentation to a doctor for another reason, such as an acute illness or injury. Being able to diagnose these conditions early through observations and blood or urine tests can allow for earlier management and prevention of damage to organs such as the heart, eyes, blood vessels or kidneys.
What Happens During Health Check?
During a health check, you will have an initial appointment with our nursing team who will take some basic history notes including:
- Past medical history, including any ongoing medical and surgical problems
- Family history of disease, including any history of cardiovascular disease and cancer
- History of smoking and alcohol use
- Any Medication you take both prescription and over-the-counter
Depending on which health check you select, you may have any of the following:
- Height and Weight measurement
- Blood Pressure
- Urine Dip to check for abnormalities
- ECG
- Spirometry
- Blood test to check
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Bone
- Heart
- Lipid levels (Cholesterol)
- Thyroid
- Vitamin Levels – including Vitamin D and B12
- Iron Studies
- Blood count
- Cervical Smear
- Prostate Screening
When you receive your test results, you will be booked in with a Doctor, who will talk through all of your results in addition to carrying out an examination and taking a history of any health concerns. A plan will be made as to how to reduce or manage any health risks identified and any required onward referrals to consultant specialists, in addition to accessing other specialists within The Health Suite, such as physiotherapists, counsellors, personal trainers and many more.
How Often Should I Get a Health Check?
Health Checks are usually recommended on an annual basis to check your measurements such as Blood pressure, height and weight, activity levels, smoking and alcohol assessments.
How often blood tests and other specialist screening tests are required should be discussed with the doctor who will advise you on a suitable interval of testing that is specific to your health needs.
Why are Health Checks Important?
Health Checks help you to take control of your health and prevent the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease and can help to identify early signs of cancer or chronic diseases including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Preventing disease and having support to live your healthiest life, reducing time spent unwell and the likelihood of requiring medications or medical interventions later in life.
Health Checks are also a good opportunity to discuss concerns about your current health and get support to optimise your health.
Common Q&A about Regular Health Check-Ups
Regular health check-ups help in the early detection of potential health issues, allowing for timely treatment and management. They can prevent complications by identifying risk factors, ensuring overall well-being, and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
The frequency of check-ups depends on age, medical history, and risk factors. Generally, it’s recommended to have an annual check-up, but individuals with chronic conditions or higher risks might need more frequent visits.
A typical check-up includes a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and basic tests like blood pressure measurement, cholesterol levels, blood sugar tests, and sometimes more specific screenings based on your age and health condition.
Common tests include blood pressure checks, complete blood count (CBC), cholesterol levels, blood sugar, urine analysis, and sometimes screening for specific diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, depending on your health status.
Fasting may be required for certain blood tests, such as glucose and lipid profile tests, to get accurate results. Your doctor will inform you beforehand if fasting is necessary for your scheduled check-up.
Most health insurance plans cover preventive care, including routine health check-ups, but coverage varies. It’s important to review your insurance policy to understand what is covered and whether there are any out-of-pocket costs.
Yes, even if you feel healthy, regular check-ups can help detect silent issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol that may not show symptoms but could lead to serious conditions if left untreated.
Regular check-ups should start in early adulthood and continue throughout life. Specific screenings, like mammograms or colonoscopies, are recommended starting at certain ages (usually after 40), depending on individual risk factors.
To prepare, bring a list of any medications you’re taking, details about your family medical history, and be ready to discuss any symptoms or concerns. If fasting is required, ensure you avoid food and drinks (except water) for the instructed number of hours.
If any abnormalities are detected, your doctor will likely recommend further tests or refer you to a specialist for a more detailed examination. Early detection can lead to more effective treatment or preventive measures.