Introduction
The NHS Health Check programme is a national preventative programme to support people to stay healthy for longer. These free NHS Health Checks are available once every five years to anyone aged between 40 and 74 with no pre-existing cardiovascular condition.
You are eligible for a free NHS Health Check if:
- You are registered with a Somerset GP or resident in Somerset
- You are not being treated by your GP for an existing diagnosed vascular condition
- You are aged between 40 and 74
- And, you have not had an NHS Health Check in the last 5 years.
If you have a current health concern please do not wait, contact your GP to discuss.
Where you can get it
Find out where you can get a free NHS Health Check
You can email the Somerset NHS Health Check team – NHSHealthChecks@somerset.gov.uk
What is checked
The NHS Health Check programme will assess your risk of developing cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. Cardiovascular disease includes:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Vascular Dementia
Together, these conditions are the largest cause of death (about a third of all deaths) in the UK. These diseases each affect the body in different ways, but all five are linked by a common set of risk factors. Your risk of developing cardiovascular disease increases with age. However, there are certain things that will put you at even greater risk. These are:
- Being overweight
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
80% to 90% of the risk of developing cardiovascular disease is due to lifestyle. Having one of these conditions can increase your risk of developing another.
You can find information about cardiovascular disease and how you can reduce your risk on the NHS Choices website.
Physical activity and weight management
Current guidelines say that adults should be regularly active for 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week. And children should be active for at least 60 minutes each day.
To find activities near you visit www.healthysomerset.co.uk/zing-somerset-community-support/
You can find support and information on the Health Trainer service, and the Somerset Exercise Referral Scheme on the Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website.