Take control of your health
Tests to help you stay well
Getting the right health test at the right time is vital. A free NHS Health Check is available to adults aged 40-74 and is designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. It includes a blood pressure check, questions about your lifestyle and family history, your height, weight and waist measurement, and a blood test. Depending on your results you will then receive personalised advice on how to minimise your risk.
BEAT THE PRESSURE WHAT?
Blood pressure check. If your blood pressure is more than 140/90 mmHg in the doctor’s surgery your GP may offer a more detailed heart health risk assessment and/or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. This is when your blood pressure is measured over 24 hours using a portable device at home.
Every five years, or more often if you have risk factors.
WHEN? WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN:
If your blood pressure reading is 140/90 mmHg or more, and your average ambulatory blood pressure is more than 135/85 mmHg, you are likely to be
in the high blood pressure category. TAKE CONTROL: See our later section on natural heart helpers.
THE FATS OF LIFE
WHAT? Blood cholesterol levels are measured using a simple blood test either at your GP practice or local hospital. Your blood is then checked for levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, bad (nonHDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as a total cholesterol result. For a healthy heart the aim is to have a low non-HDL level and a higher HDL level.
WHEN? From age 40 as part of the NHS Health Check or if you have any of the following: high blood pressure, are overweight, have diabetes, lifestyle risk factors for heart disease such as smoking or lack of exercise, a family history of raised cholesterol or heart disease.
TAKE CONTROL: Lowering your cholesterol can help reduce your risk of heart and circulatory disease. Try one of our heart healthy menus.
BLOOD SUGAR MATTERS
WHAT? Your GP may arrange a blood test to check your blood glucose level and if you have symptoms they may also test your urine to check for type 2 diabetes.
WHEN? Talk to your doctor if you feel very thirsty often, are going to the loo more, often feel very tired, are losing weight unexpectedly, have blurred vision, genital itching, or notice that your cuts or wounds heal slowly. WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN? For most people without diabetes, normal blood sugar levels are between 4 to 6 mmol/L before meals and less than 8 mmol/L two hours after eating. Diabetes UK’s free online Know Your Risk tool can also help you work out your future risk of type 2 diabetes (riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start).
TAKE CONTROL: Reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by being more active, eating a healthy diet, managing your weight, giving up smoking and being aware of your family’s medical history.
STRONG BONES
WHEN a fracture occurs as a result of a minor trip or fall, it’s a sign that your bones might not be as strong as they used to be and you may be referred for assessment.
WHAT? A DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is how osteoporosis is usually diagnosed. It is an X-ray that measures your bone density at your spine and hip.
WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN:
The reading is based on the standard deviation of bone density from the norm (your bone density measurement compared to a reference of young healthy adults with average density).
TAKE CONTROL: Find out more about protecting your bones from the Royal Osteoporosis Society (theros.org.uk, 0808 800 0035).
IT MAKES SENSE
✢ Eye tests can uncover a multitude of hidden conditions, from glaucoma to stroke. An eye test is recommended every two years. You’re entitled to free
NHS sight tests after the age of
60, or earlier if you have diabetes or glaucoma, or over 40 if a close relative has glaucoma.
✢ Hearing starts to wane from our 20s, but we don’t usually notice it until our 40s or 50s. The RNID have launched a free three-minute online hearing check (rnid.org.uk). ✢ Check your skin. It’s a good idea to assess your moles once a month. Stand in a well-lit room and use both a full-length and handheld mirror. Ask a family member to help look at hard-to-reach areas and check less obvious places such as your scalp, the soles of your feet and in between fingers and toes. Any mole changing in size, shape or colour should be investigated.