headerimage
The Importance of Medical Health Checks

Why does a car over 3 years old have an annual MOT to ensure it is ‘roadworthy’, yet we don’t?

A few of us get regular health checks from private health insurance.  Most of us however, even though we may consider them, never get round to having one - either because we are nervous of illnesses it may highlight, or simply because we don’t have the time.

Men are especially bad at avoiding any health intervention.  They are less likely to visit their GP, even if they have symptoms, let alone consider a check-up to help prevent illnesses.

Yet having a regular health check is vital: 

  • It gives you up-to-date information about your body and can give peace of mind
  • It picks up possible areas for concern early, often well before any symptoms have shown
  • It gives you the information and initiative to make life and health decisions
  • It highlights trends in the state of your health

A health-check either gives you reassurance, or helps to prevent an underlying illness developing.  Many illnesses develop so slowly, you don’t realise something is wrong until it is more difficult to treat.  An illness picked up in the early stages is far easier to cure.

Even basic health-checks can identify underlying illnesses – an ECG can suggest heart problems, a urine test can diagnose diabetes, and a blood pressure test can pick up high blood pressure.  More comprehensive medicals review family and medical histories and lifestyle factors, which give further information regarding specific risk factors.  They also test for, amongst others, cholesterol, thyroid, kidney and liver problems.

You may be able to request one from your NHS GP.  If not, DOCTORnow, a Private GP Practice in Beaconsfield, offers a range of affordable health-checks.

You are your most important asset – invest some time in yourself and get your health checked.