PEOPLE across Oxfordshire are being urged to take up their free NHS health check.

Residents aged 40 to 74 are being encouraged to take up an invitation for a free NHS health check to get an ‘overview on their general health’.

The free Oxfordshire County Council funded health check can lower a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and certain types of dementia.

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Since April 2018, a total of 51,965 Oxfordshire residents have taken up an invitation to have an NHS health check.

Councillor Mark Lygo, the authority’s cabinet member for Public Health and Equalities, said: “Health checks help people to get an overview of their general health and a fast, effective method of finding out if there are some simple things they could be doing to improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

“Sometimes even if you generally feel healthy, some conditions can lurk undiagnosed with next to no obvious symptoms.

“Getting a health check is a great way to help detect these and tackle them before they become serious.

“For example, data has shown us that there are high levels of abnormal cholesterol levels among attendees.”

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NHS health checks are funded by the authority’s public health team, which exists to improve the health of local people and protect them from preventable health issues – helping local residents live safe and healthy lives and play an active role in their communities.

Everyone in the allocated age range across England will be invited for the free NHS health check once every five years with the exception of those who are already seeing their GP regularly for certain conditions.

Anyone who has previously received an invite, but did not respond, can contact their GP surgery to make an appointment.

A full check will take around 20 minutes and will include the following:

  • You will be asked some simple questions about your family history, whether or not you smoke and how much alcohol you drink.
  • Your height, weight, sex, ethnicity and age will be recorded.
  • Your blood pressure will be taken.
  • A simple blood test will check your cholesterol level.
  • Your body mass index (BMI) will be calculated. BMI is a measure of whether you're a healthy weight for your height.
  • Your level of risk of developing certain conditions (ie stroke, kidney and heart disease, type 2 diabetes and types of dementia) will be calculated.

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Find out more about free NHS health checks in Oxfordshire by visiting: oxfordshire.gov.uk/nhshealthchecks

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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