At a glance
- Who
- Depends on age, family history and existing conditions; ask a doctor
- How often
- Your doctor advises. For example, in England the NHS Health Check is offered every 5 years to adults aged 40 to 74 without certain conditions
- How long
- An NHS Health Check takes about 20 to 30 minutes
- Usually includes
- Height, weight, waist, blood pressure, a cholesterol test, sometimes blood sugar, and questions about family history, smoking, alcohol and activity
- Good to know
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol often have no symptoms
On this page
Why have a checkup when you feel well
Some problems, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, often have no symptoms, so a check can show a higher risk before you feel anything. According to the NHS, a health check can tell you whether you are at higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease, and it aims to help lower that risk.
What it usually includes
- Height, weight and waist measurements
- Blood pressure
- A cholesterol test, sometimes blood sugar
- Questions about family history, smoking, alcohol and physical activity
What is in each package differs between providers. Check the list before you book.
Who might consider one, and how often
There is no single rule. It depends on things such as age, family history, weight, smoking and existing conditions, so ask your doctor. People who already have diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure usually have regular check-ups with their own doctor instead.
What a checkup cannot do
A checkup cannot promise that nothing is wrong. If you notice new symptoms, see a doctor even if a recent checkup was fine.
How to prepare
- When you book, ask whether you need to fast. Some blood tests ask for it and others do not.
- Bring a list of the medicines you take and of illnesses that run in your family.
- Bring earlier reports.
After you get the results
Show the reports to a doctor. A doctor reads results together with your history and may advise repeat or further tests. Do not change any medicine or diet on your own because of one result.
What Shastho offers
Shastho lists health checkup packages that bundle common blood tests in one booking. Some Shastho Card plans also include a yearly health screening; the card pages show what each plan covers.
Your next step
Basic Health Checkup
A blood count, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney and liver checks and a urine test in one booking. See what is included and the current price, then book.
See details and bookCommon questions
- Do I need to fast for a health checkup?
- It depends on the tests. Some blood tests, such as fasting blood sugar, ask for fasting and others do not. Ask the lab when you book.
- How often should I have a health checkup?
- There is no single rule. It depends on your age, family history and existing conditions, so ask your doctor. For example, in England the NHS Health Check is offered every 5 years to adults aged 40 to 74 without certain conditions.
- Can I have a checkup if I feel completely well?
- Yes, that is the point. High blood pressure and high cholesterol often have no symptoms.
- What if a result is outside the usual range?
- A doctor reads each result with your history and may advise repeat or further tests. Talk to a doctor before changing any medicine or diet because of one result.