NHS Health Check UK (2026): What's Included, Blood Tests & Private Alternatives
Everything you need to know about the NHS Health Check — who's eligible, what blood tests are done, what happens at the appointment and what to do if you can't wait or want more comprehensive testing.
The NHS Health Check is a free screening for adults aged 40–74 in England, offered every 5 years by your GP. It checks for early signs of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney problems. If you are not yet eligible, have a long wait or want broader testing, private health screening is available within days and covers a wider range of tests.
In this guide
The NHS Health Check is free if you're eligible and focuses specifically on cardiovascular risk. It is invite-based and wait times vary by GP practice. Private health screening packages are available within days, offer broader blood test menus and include a clinician consultation with results. Many health insurance policies include annual health checks or wellbeing screening as a member benefit.
What is the NHS Health Check?
The NHS Health Check is a preventive assessment designed to find risk factors for cardiovascular disease early, before symptoms develop. It is offered free every 5 years to adults aged 40–74 in England who have not been previously diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or certain other conditions.
The check is usually carried out by a nurse or healthcare assistant at your GP surgery. Your GP practice should invite you when you are due. If you have not received an invite and believe you are eligible, you can contact your surgery directly to ask.
This guide covers England — programmes differ across the UK
The NHS Health Check programme described here applies to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different preventive health check arrangements. Always check the guidance from your local health service for the programme that applies to you.
What's included in the NHS Health Check — and what blood tests are done
The NHS Health Check is focused specifically on cardiovascular risk. It is not a comprehensive full-body screening. Here is what is typically included:
Blood pressure
Measured at the appointment. If elevated, you may be referred for ambulatory (24-hour) monitoring.
Cholesterol blood test
Total cholesterol measured from a blood sample. Some practices also test HDL and LDL breakdown.
BMI & waist measurement
Height, weight and sometimes waist circumference to assess healthy weight and abdominal fat risk.
Lifestyle review
Smoking, physical activity, diet and alcohol questions to build a picture of lifestyle risk factors.
Diabetes risk (where indicated)
An HbA1c or blood glucose test may be included if your risk score indicates it, but this varies by practice.
Cardiovascular risk score
Your results are combined into a personalised CVD risk score with advice on reducing your risk.
What the blood tests do NOT typically cover
The NHS Health Check blood tests focus on cholesterol and sometimes blood sugar. They do not typically include liver function tests (LFTs), kidney function (eGFR/creatinine), full blood count (FBC), thyroid function, hormone panels, vitamin D, iron or other comprehensive blood markers. If you want broader blood testing, private health screening packages offer extended menus. See: private health screening packages UK.
Who is eligible for an NHS Health Check
✅ Eligible if you are…
- ✓Aged 40–74 in England
- ✓Registered with a GP practice
- ✓Not previously diagnosed with CVD, diabetes or kidney disease
- ✓Not already on a monitoring programme for hypertension or cholesterol
❌ Not eligible if you…
- ✗Are under 40 or over 74
- ✗Have a pre-existing CVD or diabetes diagnosis
- ✗Are already under GP monitoring for heart risk factors
- ✗Had a check within the last 5 years
The check is offered every 5 years. Your GP practice should invite you automatically when you are due. If you think you are eligible but have not been invited, contact your surgery to ask.
NHS Health Check vs private health screening
The NHS Health Check and private screening serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you decide whether the NHS check alone is sufficient for your needs.
| Feature | NHS Health Check | Private health screening |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ✅ Free if eligible | Paid — varies by package |
| Access speed | Invite-based — wait times vary | ✅ Usually within days |
| Blood tests | Cholesterol + sometimes blood sugar | ✅ Extended menus available (LFTs, thyroid, hormones, FBC etc.) |
| Blood pressure | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| ECG | ❌ Not included | ✅ Available as add-on |
| Cardiovascular risk score | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Clinician consultation | Nurse/HCA — GP referral if needed | ✅ Often included with results |
| Follow-up referrals | Via NHS pathways — further waits likely | ✅ Direct private referrals available |
| Under 40 | ❌ Not eligible | ✅ Available at any age |
How to book your NHS Health Check
Check you are eligible
Confirm you are aged 40–74 in England and have not had a check in the past 5 years. If you have a pre-existing CVD, diabetes or kidney disease diagnosis you will not be invited as you should already be under monitoring.
Wait for your invite — or contact your surgery
Your GP practice should invite you automatically when you are due. If you believe you are eligible but have not received an invite, call your surgery and ask whether you are on the list. Do not assume the invite will arrive without chasing if you are due.
Attend your appointment
The appointment typically takes 20–30 minutes. Blood may be taken on the day or booked separately at a local phlebotomy clinic. You may be asked to fast beforehand for cholesterol testing — confirm with your surgery when you book.
Discuss results and next steps
Your results are explained at the appointment or in a follow-up conversation. If your CVD risk score is higher, you may be offered lifestyle support, medication or further testing. Do not delay follow-up if your results are borderline or elevated.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Waiting indefinitely for an invite — if you are due, call your surgery. Assuming the check covers everything — it focuses on cardiovascular risk only. Delaying follow-up if results are elevated — borderline or high results need prompt action, whether through NHS or private pathways.
Private health screening alternatives
If you are not eligible for an NHS Health Check, have a long wait, are under 40 or want broader testing, these private options give faster access and more comprehensive results.
🩺 Private health screening packages
Tiered packages with extended blood panels including cholesterol, liver function, kidney function, thyroid, full blood count and more. Available within days from private hospitals and clinics.
Health screening packages →❤️ Private heart health check
Focused cardiac assessment including blood pressure, cholesterol, ECG and cardiovascular risk review. Option to add echocardiogram or cardiac MRI. Ideal if you have family history of heart disease.
Heart health check guide →📋
Targeted private tests
Single tests available without a full screening package — HbA1c for diabetes risk, private blood pressure monitoring, liver function tests, hormone panels or private ECG.
Private ECG cost guide →Health insurance & annual health checks
Many UK health insurance policies include annual health checks, wellbeing assessments or health screening as a member benefit — meaning you may be able to get private screening included as part of your policy rather than paying separately.
What health insurance may include for screening
Depending on your insurer and plan, health insurance benefits may include annual health checks or wellbeing screenings, fast-track access to blood tests and diagnostics, digital GP access for results review and faster referrals to private specialists if follow-up is needed. Cover varies significantly by plan level and insurer. Always check your policy documents. See: best health insurance UK 2026 · outpatient cover explained.
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