NHS Health Checks

Who is the NHS Health Check for?

NHS Health Checks are offered to people aged 40 to 74 who do not already have any of the following conditions:

• Heart disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Atrial fibrillation
• Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolaemia)
• Heart failure
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Stroke
• Those currently taking cholesterol‑lowering medication (such as statins)

If you have one of the conditions listed above, you won’t be eligible for an NHS Health Check. Instead, the practice will invite you for an annual review to help monitor and manage your condition. This invitation will be sent to you around your month of birth. If you have any concerns or need support before then please contact us via our usual process.

If you think you are eligible for a free NHS Health Check complete our NHS Health Check Request online form

What are the benefits of having an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is designed to spot early signs of conditions that affect your heart and circulation, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. By identifying your risk early, it gives you the chance to take steps that can help protect your long‑term health.

Many of these conditions don’t cause symptoms at first - for example, high blood pressure or high cholesterol can go unnoticed for years. The Health Check helps pick up these issues early so you can take action before they become more serious.

During your appointment, we look at a range of risk factors. These can also be linked to other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, some preventable cancers, and respiratory illnesses. This means your NHS Health Check could also help reduce your risk of developing these conditions too.

What happens at an NHS Health Check?

The NHS Health Check is a free appointment that looks at your overall heart and circulatory health. It usually takes 20 to 30 minutes.

During the appointment, we will:

• Measure your height and weight
• Check your blood pressure
• Take a cholesterol and blood sugar test

You'll also be asked some questions about your health and lifestyle, such as:

• Whether any close relatives have certain medical conditions
• If you smoke or drink alcohol, and how much
• How active you are

Once the check is complete, we’ll talk through your results and discuss any steps you can take to look after your long‑term health.

If you think you are eligible for a free NHS Health Check complete our NHS Health Check Request online form