7 DIY medical tests to do today!

The simple health checks you can do at home

Look closely at your eyelids in a mirror. Yellowish, flat lumps on the upper or lower eyelids may indicate an increased risk of heart disease.

WHY? These marks are made up of cholesterol, and may be a sign that yours is raised, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. ‘An inherited condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia can cause high cholesterol, and these lumps may appear,’ explains Julie Ward, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation.

WHAT NOW If you have any concerns, see your GP. ‘Regardless of whether you notice these marks or not, the best way to find out if you have high cholesterol is to get it checked with a blood test,’ says Julie. If you’re aged 40-74, this will be part of the NHS Health Check you’re offered every five years.