The NHS Health Check is a cardiovascular risk review for eligible people aged 40 to 74. It may include blood pressure, cholesterol and sometimes blood-sugar assessment, alongside health and family history. A private review should also select questions and tests for your circumstances rather than promise a comprehensive screen.[1]
Screening, symptoms and tests
Screening looks for a higher chance of a condition in people without symptoms. A screening result can be false positive or false negative, and a normal result does not mean you will never develop a condition. New symptoms need assessment rather than a screening package.[2]
NHS screening status
Cervical, breast, bowel and other screening programmes have their own age and eligibility criteria.
Cardiovascular risk
Blood pressure and cholesterol results need context rather than isolated interpretation.
Menopause
Hormone blood tests are not routinely needed to diagnose menopause in otherwise healthy people aged 45 or over with typical symptoms.
Imaging and blood tests
A clinician may recommend a specific test for a particular history or symptom. A test cannot diagnose every cause.
When to seek help sooner
Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. Use NHS 111 or seek urgent clinical advice for new, severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. Do not wait for a health check.
Questions to ask before booking
Ask what question each proposed test is intended to answer, what its limitations are, what a result could mean, and how follow-up would be arranged. The clinic confirms suitability, preparation, route, availability and follow-up at booking.