NHS Health Checks for Over-60s: What to Expect

If you are between 40 and 74 and registered with a GP in England, you are entitled to a free NHS Health Check every five years. Many people in their 60s have never had one, either because the invitation got lost in a pile of post or because they did not realise they were eligible. The check takes about 20 minutes and can pick up early signs of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease before symptoms appear. 💚

This guide explains what the NHS Health Check involves, what your results mean, and what to do if you have not been invited yet.

1. Who the NHS Health Check is for

The NHS Health Check is available to adults aged 40 to 74 in England who have not already been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or certain other conditions. If you have been diagnosed with one of these, your GP will monitor your health through separate appointments rather than the standard check.

The check is offered every five years. Your GP surgery should invite you by letter, but invitations do not always arrive reliably. If you are in the eligible age range and have not had a check in the last five years, you can request one directly from your GP surgery or, in some areas, book through a local pharmacy or community clinic.

Simple action: If you are aged 40 to 74 and cannot remember having an NHS Health Check, call your GP surgery and ask. You do not need to wait for an invitation letter.

💡 Tip: The NHS Health Check is an England programme. If you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, your GP practice runs similar risk assessments but through different local schemes. Ask your GP what is available to you.

2. What happens during the check

The appointment usually takes 20 to 30 minutes and is carried out by a nurse, healthcare assistant, or GP. You do not need to fast beforehand unless your surgery advises it.

During the check, the clinician will:

• Measure your height, weight, and waist circumference to calculate your BMI
• Take your blood pressure
• Take a blood sample or finger-prick test to check cholesterol and blood glucose levels
• Ask about your family history of heart disease or diabetes
• Ask about lifestyle: physical activity, smoking, alcohol, and diet

Everything is done in the appointment room. There are no scans or hospital visits involved. Results are usually shared with you on the day, though blood test results may take a few days if sent to a lab.

Simple action: Bring a list of any medications you take to your appointment. The clinician may ask about them, and having the names and doses ready saves time.

3. Understanding your results

The main output of the check is your cardiovascular risk score, calculated using a tool called QRISK. This score estimates the likelihood of you having a heart attack or stroke in the next ten years, expressed as a percentage.

A score below 10% is generally considered low risk. A score of 10% or above may prompt your GP to discuss medication, such as statins, alongside lifestyle changes.

Your results will also include:

• Blood pressure reading: 140/90 or above is considered high and may need monitoring or treatment
• Cholesterol levels: broken down into total cholesterol, HDL (good), and LDL (bad)
• Blood glucose: used to identify pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes risk
• BMI: used alongside waist measurement to assess weight-related health risks

Do not leave the appointment without asking the clinician to explain any numbers you do not understand. A good clinician will walk you through each result and what it means for you specifically.

4. What happens after the check

If your results are within normal range, you will be invited back for another check in five years.

If any results are raised, your GP may:

• Invite you for a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings in more detail
• Recommend lifestyle changes: diet, exercise, reducing alcohol, or stopping smoking
• Refer you to a specialist service such as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
• Prescribe medication, most commonly statins for high cholesterol or antihypertensives for high blood pressure

Example: A 67-year-old man with a cardiovascular risk score of 14% and mildly raised cholesterol might be offered a statin prescription and referred to a free NHS stop-smoking service. Neither of these involves a hospital visit, and both significantly reduce his long-term risk.

A raised result at this check is not a diagnosis. It is an early warning that gives you and your GP the chance to act before something more serious develops.

5. Other NHS screenings worth knowing about

The NHS Health Check is one of several free screenings available to people in their 60s. These run separately and are worth knowing about:

Bowel cancer screening is offered to everyone aged 50 to 74 in England. You receive a home testing kit by post every two years. If you have not received yours or want to opt back in, contact the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme or speak to your GP.

Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to 71 every three years. Invitations are sent automatically. Women over 71 can still request a mammogram by contacting their local screening unit.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) screening is offered to men in the year they turn 65. It is a simple ultrasound scan of the abdomen and takes about ten minutes. Men over 65 who were not screened can self-refer by contacting their local AAA screening programme.

Your GP surgery can tell you which screenings you are currently due for and help you access any you have missed.

A 20-minute NHS Health Check can reveal things you would not otherwise know until they became serious. If you are due for one, it is worth making the time. 💛

Book your NHS Health Check by calling your GP surgery or visiting nhs.uk to find out more. For more guides on staying well in your 60s and beyond, visit the Una guides or sign up to our newsletter.