HEALTH
Free NHS
health checks
Our borough is getting healthier. It has one of
the highest uptakes of free NHS Health Checks
in the country. That means residents are
reducing their risk of developing heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and even
dementia. Andy Mahady reports.
I
f you are aged between
40 to 74 years old,
have not had an NHS
Health Check in the
last five years and have not
already been diagnosed
with certain conditions
or risk factors, you will
be invited for a free NHS
Health Check.
It is well worth having it
even if you feel perfectly well
and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Hopefully, it will simply give you peace
of mind and some good advice on
staying well.
However, it is worth remembering
some conditions have no early
symptoms. For example, it is estimated
that nationally 850,000 people are
unaware they have type-2 diabetes
(see page 33 of this magazine).
Furthermore, GPs increasingly find that
people are blissfully unaware of what is
a healthy weight, a safe level of alcohol
or enough exercise.
Of course, busy families may find it
hard to find the time for their health
check. So it is worth viewing it like
you would a child’s vaccinations – not
something you would miss through a
lack of time. Besides, the checks only
take about 20 minutes and you need
to keep fit and well so you can look
after your family.
Councillor Hitesh Tailor, the council’s
cabinet member for health and adults’
services, said: “I encourage anyone
who gets the invitation to take up
a free and confidential NHS Health
Check to do so, once every five years.
If you are diagnosed as at
risk of developing heart
disease, stroke, diabetes,
kidney disease or
dementia, the good news
is these conditions are
often preventable through
simple changes to your
lifestyle, such as increasing
your levels of activity,
watching what you eat
and stopping smoking.
“Your healthcare
professional will discuss your results and
offer support to help lower your risk.
“You don’t have to wait until your
health check to start making healthy
changes. The NHS Health Check
website has good information and
advice, along with free apps and
trackers to help get you started.”
So, take charge of your long-term
health and visit your GP for a free
NHS Health Check. It is just what the
doctor ordered.
Visit www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck
around ealing
Winter 2014/15
33