SIMPLE DIY TESTS

You can identify many potential problems yourself – such as the risk of stroke, skin cancer and heart disease – before they start with some basic checks you can do at home. Here are five to begin with...

MOLE COUNT

Count the number of moles larger than 2mm in diameter on your right arm. A study by King’s College London indicates that seven moles on an arm equates to 50 on the body (which doubles the normal risk of melanoma) and 11 moles means more than 100 moles on your body (a five times increased risk of melanoma).

A high number of moles on your body isn’t cause for panic, but it is worth being extra vigilant in the sun, and always see your GP if you notice any changes.

When checking your moles, look out for ABCDE:

A – asymmetry

B – border irregularities

C – colour variation

D – diameter bigger than 6mm E – enlargement or evolution in terms of colour change/ shape/symptoms (such as bleeding/itching/crusting)

STROKE RISK

Balance on one leg with your eyes shut (keep your hand close to a wall to stop you falling) and time how long you can stand there. Research published in the journal Stroke in 2014 found that not being able to stand on one leg for more than 20 seconds was linked to an increased risk of

‘ silent’ stroke — tiny brain bleeds that don’t cause symptoms but raise the risk of both full- blown stroke and dementia. The researchers believe poor balance could indicate brain disease and cognitive decline. You should improve by practising – aim for one minute.

HEART DISEASE RISK

Measure your height using string and cut it to length, then fold the string in half and see if it goes comfortably around your waist. For optimum health, your waist measurement should be under half your height, and if the string doesn’t go around your waist you could be carrying fat around your middle that puts you at increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

HEALTHY ARTERIES

Sit on the floor with your back against the wall, legs straight out in front of you, and slowly try to reach for your toes, bending at the waist. This test could indicate how supple (or not) your arteries are. Arteries tend to get stiffer with age, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Studies show 30 minutes of gentle stretching five times a week for a month can prompt a reduction in arterial stiffness.

HEARING CHECK Do you:

Turn the TV or radio up when you come in the room?

Tend to think that other people are mumbling?

Find it difficult to follow the conversation in a busy room? Struggle to hear on the phone? Not always hear the doorbell? If the answer to any of the above is yes, then you could have a hearing problem, which can be checked by a high street audiologist

(often based at opticians).