Knowing the general state of your overall health status may seem a little scary to some, it is, however, a necessary check that may just end up saving your life. Save it from being cut short due to health reasons anyway. There is no harm in knowing the absolute status of your body’s health, as well as the risks that it may be facing in the future. A health check is not to be replaced by a visit to the GP if you are feeling unwell, rather it serves as an indicator of possible risks to contracting certain diseases and other health problems that may arise. Here we are going to cover some of the basics regarding a health testand give you a little inside information as to what you can expect when you do go for yours.
What is a Health Check?
A health check, or health MOT, is an NHS programme that is aimed at detecting, and thus helping to prevent, diseases such asheart disease, diabetes, strokes, kidney diseases, and certaintype of dementia. These testare performed in-house at you chosen facility, and should not take any longer than an hour. Firstly, you will have to answer questions about some of your basic habits and personal history, which will include:
- Are you physically active?
- Do you smoke?
- How much and how often do you consume alcoholic beverages?
- Does your familyhave a history of medical conditions?
What does a Health MOT Involve?
A standard health MOT makes use of a number of standardizetests and questions, aimed at painting a clear picture of your current state of health and well-being. These tests are also used to check for the development of a certaincondition that may promote a number of potential health problems. The test issimple and are conducted by a medical or healthcare professional, and include:
- A blood test to check for cholesterol levels
- A blood pressure test
- A diabetes risk assessment
- Measuring your body mass index (BMI)
This simple and standard battery of tests is designed to help detect any problems that may arise from your current state of health, as well as provide an indication as to the remedies of any negative situations that may be discovered regarding your well-being.
When Should a Health MOT be Performed?
Simply put, anyone that is over the age of 40 years, and does not show any signs or symptoms of the above-mentioneddiseases or health risks, should have a health MOT once every 5 years. This should be sufficeto keep your finger on the pulse regarding the state of your health and well-being.
Advice on a Healthy Living and Lifestyle Adjustments
Once your tests have been concluded and the results determined, your overall risk score will be calculated, providing an indicator of your likelihood of contracting heart disease or your risk of having a stroke in the future. Results from each test will then be broken down and analysedto target specific actions that need to be taken to remedy any health situation that may be present. Similarly, these results are used to determine any lifestyle changes that need to be made to prevent any developing medical conditions that may be present.
If your health is important to you, and taking care of it is part of your new years’ plans, then a health MOT is the way to go. Knowing your status is only going to benefit you in the long run, helping you to live the best life that you can, and ensuring that your life is not cut short, leaving your loved ones before your time.