NHS Health Checks at Pharmacies
Free health screening for everyone aged 40-74 in England. Get your blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI checked and receive a cardiovascular risk assessment at your local pharmacy.
Find NHS Health Check PharmacyWhat is the NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check is a free health assessment for adults aged 40-74 in England who don't already have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease, or certain other conditions. Often called the "heart health check" or "health MOT," it's designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. The check helps identify your risk of developing these conditions and provides personalized advice on reducing that risk through lifestyle changes. It's recommended every 5 years for eligible adults.
What Does the Health Check Include?
Blood Pressure: Check for hypertension (high blood pressure), a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke
Cholesterol Test: Finger-prick blood test measuring total cholesterol and HDL/LDL levels
Blood Glucose: Test for diabetes or pre-diabetes from the same finger-prick blood sample
BMI Calculation: Height and weight measurement to assess if you're a healthy weight
Lifestyle Assessment: Questions about smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, diet, and family history
Cardiovascular Risk Score: Calculation of your risk of heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years (QRISK score)
The Health Check Appointment
Your NHS Health Check appointment at a pharmacy takes about 20-30 minutes. You can often book online or walk in depending on the pharmacy. During the appointment, the healthcare professional will take measurements (blood pressure, height, weight), perform a finger-prick blood test for cholesterol and glucose, ask about your lifestyle and family medical history, calculate your cardiovascular disease risk score, and explain your results and what they mean. Based on your results, you'll receive personalized advice on improving your health and reducing disease risk.
After Your Health Check
Following your health check, you'll receive a personal report with all your results and risk scores. If results are normal, you'll get advice on maintaining good health through diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. If results show increased risk, the pharmacist may refer you to your GP for further tests or treatment, recommend pharmacy services like stop smoking or weight management programs, suggest lifestyle changes with specific targets, and arrange follow-up appointments to monitor progress. Pharmacies can provide ongoing support for implementing recommended changes.
Who Should Have an NHS Health Check?
You're eligible for a free NHS Health Check if you're aged 40-74, registered with a GP in England, and don't already have any of the following conditions: heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, stroke/TIA, atrial fibrillation, familial hypercholesterolemia, or heart failure. You should have a health check every 5 years. Even if you feel healthy and have no symptoms, the check can identify hidden risks and prevent serious illness developing. Early detection and lifestyle changes can prevent or delay conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Additional Pharmacy Health Services
Beyond NHS Health Checks, many pharmacies offer additional health screening and monitoring services including blood pressure monitoring for people with hypertension, diabetes monitoring (HbA1c testing), weight management programs, stop smoking support, cholesterol management advice, dietary and nutrition counseling, and physical activity guidance. These services help you act on health check findings and maintain long-term health improvements. Some additional services may incur charges, but many are available free through NHS pharmacy services.
Book Your Free NHS Health Check
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