NHS health checks

Your NHS health check could be the most important 30 minutes you spend on your health.

If you live in Portsmouth and are aged between 40 and 74, you may be offered a free NHS health check every five years.

As we get older, we’re more likely to get health problems like:

• heart disease
• stroke
• type 2 diabetes
• kidney disease

Even if you feel fine, it’s still worth having a check. It’s a bit like an MOT for your body. It can spot early signs of problems and help you stay healthy.

You can have an NHS Health Check if:

• you’re aged 40 to 74
• you’re not already being treated for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes or kidney disease
• you’re not taking certain medicines, like those for high cholesterol or blood pressure

If you’re outside this age range but worried about your health, speak to your GP.

To learn more, visit the NHS health check website.

The check takes about 30 minutes. We will:

• ask you some simple questions, like about your family’s health
• check your height, weight, age, sex and ethnicity
• take your blood pressure
• do a blood test to check your cholesterol
• give advice on how to stay healthy and what support is available

After the health check, we’ll explain your results and what they mean. We’ll also talk about how to lower your health risks.

You might be offered help from other health services. You may need more tests, treatment or medication.

You’ll get a letter in the post inviting you to book an appointment at your GP surgery or with a local community provider.

Keep the letter safe, you’ll need to bring it to your appointment. You must have received an invitation to be able to get your NHS health check.