Health check for over 40's

A health check is typically no longer than 30 minutes. You are usually asked some questions about your family history and lifestyle by the health care assistant or nurse at your doctor's office. They will then measure your height, weight, and blood pressure, and there will usually be some routine blood tests to check your full blood count, kidneys, and other routine markers.

You will receive your blood test results later. Still, at the end of the consultation, you will receive tailored advice about reducing your risk of developing any of the previously mentioned diseases. This could consist of:

• dietary advice
• fitness
• lifestyle changes

After a review of your results, it may involve starting medications too. If you are older than 65 you will also be given information on symptoms and signs to watch out for dementia.

They are important to address any modifiable risk factors. These could include:

• reducing your weight
• improving your level of activity
• Improving your diet
• helping you to cut down on smoking or alcohol
• addressing and reducing your cholesterol and blood pressure

All of these factors individually and collectively put you at greater risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and dementia if not addressed.

Yes. Research suggests that health checks are effective. Through screening for the most common diseases, there is an increased chance of picking them up early.

The latest research suggests that health checks can identify:

• high blood pressure
• type 2 diabetes
• high risk of cardiovascular disease

You can schedule a health check with your family physician. You will be automatically invited to reschedule every 5 years between 40 and 74 years old if you have no other conditions. If you do, you will be followed up more regularly for that condition.