GLOUCESTERSHIRE residents are being urged to take advantage of a free NHS health check to ensure their heart is in good condition and to avoid becoming a victim of a silent killer.
Heart disease often has no symptoms so can develop unnoticed, but a health check available to people aged between 40 and 74, tests for risk factors for the condition as well as diabetes, kidney disease, stroke and dementia.
The health check calculates each person’s individual risk of developing heart disease and a health worker will offer advice and support about how to reduce this risk and improve or maintain the person’s health.
Treatment or medication can be offered if necessary but often the risks can be improved by making one or two changes to diet or lifestyle.
A recent poll carried out by the British Heart Foundation found that many adults are unaware of the risk factors for CHD, which is responsible for more than 74,000 deaths across the UK every year.
The main symptoms of CHD include chest pain, heart attacks and heart failure and contributing factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.
People aged between 40 and 74 without a pre-existing heart condition or risk factor, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, can expect to receive a letter from their GP, once every five years, inviting them to undergo an NHS health check.
Those who have not received a letter yet can expect to be sent one over the next few years and we would urge them to take up the opportunity. If concerned, people can contact their GP practice to find out when they will be called.
Cabinet member for older people, Councillor Andrew Gravells said: “We want people to know that many of the conditions that an NHS health check looks out for can often be prevented, even if someone has a family history of them.
“By taking action early, you could live a longer and healthier life. It’s never too late to make a difference to your health and small changes can make a huge difference in the long-run.
“The check should take about 30 minutes and we want to see more people in the county taking this short time out of their day to make use of the opportunity.”
For more information on free NHS health checks visit www.nhs.uk/Conditions/nhs-health-check/Pages/NHS-Health-Check.aspx
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here