Private Health Checks in Canary Wharf: Take Control of Your Health

The start of a new year often brings renewed enthusiasm for looking after our health. For some people, that means exercising more, improving their diet, drinking less alcohol, or simply paying more attention to how they are feeling.

But before setting new health goals, it can be useful to understand where you are starting from.

A private health check in Canary Wharf can provide a broader picture of your current health, identify important risk factors and give you an opportunity to discuss any concerns with a GP.

At Dr Wayne Cottrell & Co, health assessments can be tailored according to your age, medical history, family history, lifestyle and individual concerns rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Why Have a Health Check?

Many important health risk factors do not necessarily cause obvious symptoms.

High blood pressure and raised cholesterol, for example, can go unnoticed unless they are measured. Both are important factors when assessing someone’s future risk of cardiovascular disease.

The NHS Health Check programme itself uses measurements including blood pressure, cholesterol, height, weight and waist measurements to help assess cardiovascular health. NICE also recommends assessing cardiovascular risk in adults so that appropriate preventative measures can be considered. (NHS) (NICE)

A private health assessment can therefore provide an opportunity to look beyond how you feel today and consider your longer-term health.

What Can a Private Health Check Include?

The exact tests and examinations required will depend on the individual and the type of health assessment selected.

Depending on your circumstances, a health check may include:

blood pressure measurement
weight and BMI assessment
cholesterol testing
blood glucose or diabetes-risk assessment
review of your medical history
family history
discussion of diet and nutrition
smoking and alcohol intake
physical activity
cardiovascular risk factors
relevant blood tests
discussion of age-appropriate screening
review of any symptoms or health concerns

Where appropriate, your GP may recommend further investigations, examinations or referral depending on the results.

The purpose isn’t simply to collect numbers. The important part is understanding what those results mean for you and whether there are sensible steps you can take to protect your future health.

Understanding Your Heart and Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease includes conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease and stroke.

Several factors can influence cardiovascular risk, including:

high blood pressure
high cholesterol
smoking
diabetes
excess weight
physical inactivity
diet
age
family history

NICE guidance recommends identifying and assessing cardiovascular risk so that people who may benefit from lifestyle changes or treatment can receive appropriate advice. (NICE)

For someone planning to become more physically active, particularly after a long period without exercise, discussing their general health and any relevant medical concerns with a doctor can also be worthwhile.

A health check isn’t a guarantee that a medical condition will never occur, but it can help identify known risk factors and provide an opportunity to act on them.

What If I Have a Family History of Cancer?

Family history is an important part of a medical assessment.

Having a relative who has developed cancer does not automatically mean that you will develop the same condition. Most cancers are not caused solely by an inherited genetic variant.

However, certain patterns within a family can indicate an increased inherited risk.

This might include:

several close relatives developing the same or related cancers
cancers occurring at an unusually young age
particular combinations of cancers within a family
a known inherited genetic variant within the family

If your family history raises concerns, discussing it with a GP can help establish whether further assessment or specialist advice may be appropriate.

What Is Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing can sometimes be used to identify inherited genetic changes associated with an increased risk of particular diseases.

In cancer genetics, for example, testing may sometimes be considered where someone’s personal or family history suggests they could have an increased inherited risk. The NHS advises that genetic testing for cancer risk will usually involve an assessment of family history to establish whether testing is appropriate. (NHS)

Genetic testing should therefore not be thought of as a simple test that can predict whether someone will or will not develop cancer.

A result may indicate an increased inherited risk, but many other factors can contribute to whether a disease develops.

The implications can also extend beyond the person being tested because certain genetic variants can be inherited by other family members.

For that reason, the decision to undertake genetic testing should be based on appropriate medical advice and a clear understanding of what the result may — and may not — tell you.

Five Benefits of Understanding Your Health

1. Identify Risk Factors Earlier

Measuring factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose may identify risks that you were previously unaware of.

Finding a risk factor does not necessarily mean you have a disease. It may instead provide an opportunity to make changes before a problem develops.

2. Make Lifestyle Changes That Are Relevant to You

Generic health advice can only go so far.

Understanding your individual results can help make decisions about exercise, diet, weight, alcohol consumption and smoking more relevant to your circumstances.

Lifestyle measures such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, managing weight, stopping smoking and reducing excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to reducing cardiovascular risk. (NICE)

3. Discuss Concerns Before They Become Bigger Worries

Sometimes patients book a health check because there is something in the back of their mind — a family history, a change in their health or simply a feeling that they have neglected their health for a while.

A private GP appointment provides time to discuss those concerns rather than relying on internet searches or continuing to worry about them.

4. Understand Your Family History

Reviewing your family medical history may highlight areas where additional monitoring or investigation is worth considering.

This is particularly relevant where several close relatives have experienced the same condition or where illnesses have occurred unusually early.

5. Establish a Useful Health Baseline

Knowing your blood pressure, cholesterol and other relevant measurements gives you a baseline against which future changes can be assessed.

That can be particularly helpful if you’re making significant changes to your diet, exercise or wider lifestyle.

Health Checks Aren’t Just for January

Although January can provide the motivation to reassess your health, there is no need to wait for a new year.

A health check may be worth considering at any point if:

you haven’t had your health reviewed for some time
you’re concerned about your blood pressure or cholesterol
you have a strong family history of certain conditions
you’ve made significant lifestyle changes
you’re approaching an age where particular health risks become more relevant
you would simply like a clearer understanding of your current health

Preventative healthcare is about identifying risks, discussing concerns and making informed decisions rather than waiting until something feels wrong.