The NHS Health Check is a free health check-up for adults in England aged 40-74. It's designed to help spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. As we get older, we have a higher risk of developing one of these conditions. An NHS Health Check helps find ways to lower this risk.

It's not only an opportunity to put right any health problems, but to get personalised advice on keeping yourself healthy and active in the future.

After a check you will be more confident and know more about your health. You should also receive personalised advice on how to improve or maintain your health. It will give you the knowledge you need to take control of your health.

To be eligible for this NHS Health Check you must live in the Sandwell area or be registered with a GP within Sandwell.

The service is only available for individuals between the age of 40 – 74 who have not received a health check in the last 5 years and do not have pre-existing diagnosis of the following:

• Coronary Heart Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) which has been classified (stage 3 – 5).
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Ischaemic Heart Disease
• Hypercholesterolemia – defined as familial hypercholesterolemia
• Heart failure
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Stroke/TIA
• Prescribed statins for the purpose of lowering cholesterol

If you are not eligible for an NHS health check but would like to take a proactive approach to your health. Please visit Randox Health to view the tests that are available through our service https://www.randoxhealth.com/

Healthy Sandwell would also be happy to discuss with you the lifestyle initiatives which can be availed of in your area. They can be contacted as below:

https://www.healthysandwell.co.uk/
Secure email Ls@nhs.net
Free Text GetHealthy to 87007
Free phone number 0800 011 4656 / 0121 569 5100

An NHS Health Check will include:

• height and weight measurements
• blood pressure measurements
• waist measurement
• a simple finger stick test for cholesterol
• questions about your health, diet, exercise and family medical history
• assessment of your level of cardiovascular risk and what you can do to reduce it

After your NHS Health Check, you will be receive a number of results. This is the time to take action to improve these results to give you a longer, better life.

Research shows small changes to your habits can have a surprising effect on your health. By giving up smoking or taking up regular physical activity you can reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer. Changes like this could add many years to your life.

Your GP will follow-up with you for any results that require further primary care attention.

Established in 1982, Randox is the largest healthcare diagnostics company in the UK. Our goal is to provide individuals with access to unrivalled health data that empowers them to take control of their health and make positive changes to help prevent future illness. For more information visit www.randoxhealth.com.

It is not necessary to fast overnight, but we do recommend that you don't eat, smoke or drink (except water) for two hours before the Health Check
Avoid heavy exercise prior to the Health Check
Ideally wear a short sleeve top to allow your blood pressure to be measured easily