📞 0208 574 5136  |  Mon–Fri 08:00–18:30 NHS GP Practice · West London
S SALUJA CLINIC SALUJA CLINIC
Free NHS Service · Ages 40–74

NHS Health Checks

Working together to improve your health. A free NHS Health Check every five years helps us identify your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia — before symptoms appear. Prevention starts here.

40–74
Age range eligible
Men and women, no prior diagnosis
Every 5 yrs
Frequency of check
Invited automatically by your practice
20–30 min
Duration of appointment
Quick, painless, and completely free
5 conditions
Screened in one visit
Heart · Stroke · Diabetes · Kidney · Dementia
Conditions Screened · Body Map
Heart Disease
What We Check For

Five Conditions.
One Appointment.

Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia as they age. The good news — these conditions can often be prevented or managed when identified early, even if you have a family history of them.

❤️ Heart Disease
Blocked arteries can cause heart attack or angina
🧠 Stroke
Blocked arteries or bleeds in the brain
🫘 Kidney Disease
Damaged by high BP or unmanaged diabetes
🩸 Type 2 Diabetes
Linked to weight, inactivity and diet
🧩 Dementia Risk Factors
High BP, diabetes and inactivity increase risk — early action helps
Having one of these conditions can increase your risk of another. A single 20-minute check helps identify multiple risks at once — for free.
Risk Factors

Are You at Higher Risk?

Your risk increases with age, but several lifestyle and health factors amplify it further. The NHS Health Check identifies exactly where you stand — and what you can do about it.

⚖️
Being Overweight
Raises risk of diabetes, heart disease & stroke
🛋️
Physical Inactivity
Linked to diabetes, high BP & poor heart health
🍔
Poor Diet
High salt, fat & sugar affect cholesterol & BP
🚬
Smoking
Major contributor to heart disease & stroke
🍺
Excess Alcohol
Raises blood pressure and damages the liver
📈
High BP / Cholesterol
Often symptomless — only found through testing
ℹ️
Many risk factors have no symptoms — you can have high blood pressure or raised cholesterol and feel completely well. Only a check can reveal them.
Your Check Appointment · Step by Step
Welcome & History
Blood Pressure · Artery Simulation
Healthy Pressure
Blood Pressure

Understanding Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against artery walls. Chronically high pressure — hypertension — silently damages arteries, the heart, kidneys and brain over years before any symptoms appear. It is one of the most important things we check.

📊 What the Numbers Mean

  • Optimal: below 120/80 mmHg — arteries under healthy, sustainable pressure
  • Elevated: 120–139 / 80–89 mmHg — lifestyle changes recommended
  • High (Stage 1): 140–159 / 90–99 mmHg — monitoring and possible medication
  • High (Stage 2): 160+ / 100+ mmHg — treatment usually required
  • Crisis: above 180/120 mmHg — seek medical attention immediately
💊
If your blood pressure is raised at your NHS Health Check, we will discuss lifestyle changes and — if needed — medication to bring it into a healthy range. Early treatment prevents stroke, heart attack and kidney damage.
Cholesterol

Cholesterol & Artery Health

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood. Too much LDL ("bad") cholesterol causes plaques to build up inside artery walls, narrowing them over time. This reduces blood flow and can eventually cause a heart attack or stroke — often without any prior warning.

🩸 Target Cholesterol Levels

  • Total cholesterol: ideally below 5 mmol/L
  • LDL ("bad") cholesterol: below 3 mmol/L
  • HDL ("good") cholesterol: above 1 mmol/L (men), 1.2 (women)
  • Triglycerides: below 1.7 mmol/L
  • Your GP will explain your personal results and what they mean for your risk

🥗 What Helps Lower Cholesterol?

  • Reducing saturated fat (butter, processed meat, pastries)
  • Increasing soluble fibre (oats, lentils, beans, fruit)
  • Regular aerobic exercise — 150 minutes per week
  • Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol
  • Statins — safe, effective medication if lifestyle changes are insufficient
Cholesterol Plaque · Artery View
Healthy Artery

What Happens at Your Check

A single 20–30 minute visit covers five key measurements and ends with personalised, actionable advice.

1
History & Lifestyle
Family history, smoking, diet, activity level and current medications discussed
2
Height, Weight & BMI
Body measurements recorded; BMI and waist circumference calculated
3
Blood Pressure
Cuff applied to your arm — quick, painless reading in under 2 minutes
4
Cholesterol Test
Simple finger-prick or venous blood sample to measure cholesterol levels
5
Results & Advice
Your risk score explained; personalised plan to maintain or improve your health

Questions You May Have

Why do I need this check if I feel fine?
+
The NHS Health Check helps identify potential risks early — before symptoms appear. High blood pressure, raised cholesterol and early-stage diabetes often produce no symptoms at all. By having this check and following your health professional's advice, you significantly improve your chances of a longer, healthier life.
These conditions run in my family — does that matter?
+
If you have a family history of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, or kidney disease, you may indeed be at higher risk — and that makes the check even more important. Taking action now through lifestyle changes or medication can help prevent or delay the onset of these conditions.
I know my lifestyle isn't perfect — will I be judged?
+
Absolutely not. Our role is to help, not judge. If you'd like support — whether that's eating more healthily, becoming more active, cutting down on alcohol, or stopping smoking — we will work with you to find practical, realistic approaches that suit your life.
What if I'm told I'm at 'low risk'?
+
A low risk result is great news, but it doesn't guarantee you won't develop these conditions in future. Think of it as a baseline and an opportunity to maintain your healthy habits. You'll be re-invited for a check every five years to monitor any changes.
Who is eligible and how do I book?
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Everyone aged 40–74 who has not been previously diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease or dementia is eligible. You'll be automatically invited every five years. You can also proactively request your check — simply call us on 0208 574 5136 or book online via our website.
What happens after the appointment?
+
You'll receive a full explanation of your results and what they mean. Where needed, you may be asked to return for an additional blood test (for diabetes or kidney function). Personalised lifestyle advice will be given, and treatment or medication may be prescribed if appropriate. Some patients are referred to specialist services for further support.

Book Your Free Health Check Today

If you are aged 40–74 and haven't had an NHS Health Check in the last five years, you may be due one. Don't wait for an invitation — be proactive about your health. It takes just 20 minutes and could change your life.

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Non-Emergency
NHS 111

Available 24/7, free from all phones. For urgent medical advice when your GP is closed, or if you're concerned about any new health symptoms.

Life-Threatening Emergency
999

Call 999 immediately for chest pain, signs of stroke (facial droop, arm weakness, speech difficulty), or any life-threatening emergency.