Nearly 20,000 people across Leeds had a free NHS Health Check last year, and the results were worth having: 572 people flagged as at high risk of cardiovascular disease, 901 diagnosed with high blood pressure, 296 found to have undiagnosed diabetes. All from a conversation that takes half an hour.
If you’re between 40 and 74 and don’t already have a cardiovascular condition, you’re eligible, and you should be getting an invite from your GP surgery every five years. The council’s public health department funds it and the Leeds GP Confederation delivers it, and what it’s actually checking is the health of your heart and blood vessels — early warning signs for heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and some forms of dementia.
The appointment itself is unhurried: 20 to 30 minutes, usually covering height, weight, waist size, blood pressure and a cholesterol test, plus a few general questions about how you’re doing. Uptake in Leeds is decent, but health leaders say the city has capacity to run thousands more checks a year, which is why posters and social media messaging are now doing the rounds at bus stops and on digital screens across the city.
Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said: “Many people are unaware that the NHS Health Check is free and available to them so we hope to spread the word and encourage everyone eligible to take up the chance to have this potentially life-saving appointment. The benefit people gain from the check cannot be underestimated – it helps to you to really understand your health, receive personalised advice and stay healthier for longer.” She added that warning signs for conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol often come with no symptoms at all, which is exactly why the check matters.
Councillor Emma Flint, the council’s executive member for equality, adults and health, said: “All eligible people aged 40 and over are entitled to this check so please do ask your GP surgery if you’ve not yet had an invitation. Even if you feel healthy and well in yourself, it’s incredibly important that you still go and get checked. By identifying any issues early, you can take action to improve your health and reduce the risk of going on to develop serious health problems in the future.” A 20-30 minute appointment, she said, could make a big difference to your overall health.
If you’re 40-plus and haven’t had that letter yet, ring the surgery and ask.
More info: nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/nhs-health-check
