Over 45s-have you had a health check recently?
What is a health check? And why is it important?
Taking control of your health requires regular visits to your doctor for health checks as well as the more crucial examinations when necessary. These visits can help detect any health problems before they arise.
Regular health checks are considered a good practice for everyone, but they do become increasingly important as we get older. Once you hit 40, it is recommended that you visit your doctor or healthcare specialist regularly for health checks and tests. These checks can prove beneficial in detecting, preventing and managing major health problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
What is a health check?
A health check is an examination of your current state of health, often carried out by your GP.
As we get older, many of us become more vulnerable to illness and disease. To help reduce this risk, a number of health checks or screening tests are recommended at various stages of our lives.
Why are health checks important?
The aim of a health check is to help find, prevent or minimise the impact of health issues. It’s like getting your car serviced before it breaks down. It’s better to avoid disease than to treat it. Although some checks can be uncomfortable, they provide your GP or medical professional with an opportunity to look at your lifestyle, medical history and family history to find out if you’re at risk.
Having a regular doctor or preferred practice has many advantages. Most importantly, you can establish a relationship over time and are more likely to feel comfortable talking honestly and openly with them. Also, your doctor will get to know you and understand your health needs and concerns. By having a regular doctor or practice, your medical history stays in the one place, and is more likely to be kept up to date.
Are you in the 45 to 49 age group?
Do you have at least one of the following risk factors that could lead to a chronic disease later in life?
o High blood pressure
o High cholesterol
o Family history of disease (such as cancer or diabetes)
o Smoking
o Overweight
o Inadequate exercise
If you answered YES to any of these, you are eligible for a free one-off health check covered by Medicare. The aim of this health check is to help find, prevent or minimise the effect of disease.
Your doctor and nurse can support you by checking your lifestyle for health risks, giving you personalised advice on how to reduce your risk of illness by making some healthy changes providing you with practical advice to help you improve your health and putting you in touch with expert advice, information and support.
What can a health check involve?
A health check generally involves:
updating your medical history and examining your health issues
performing tests if required
a follow up of any problems identified
advice and information on how to improve your health.
Our medical teams at all of our practices are dedicated to providing you and your family with high quality health care.
Take control of your health and book an appointment today.
