As we transition into our 50s, our bodies start to manifest the effects of ageing, from backaches to joint discomfort and beyond. It's crucial to closely monitor these changes and proactively manage them. One effective strategy to empower yourself and find peace of mind is by scheduling regular health assessments or Health MOTs.

Health checks offer valuable insight into your current health status, identifying potential health issues, detecting early signs of illness, and promoting preventive measures.

We'll explore what a health check for the over 50s involves and how it is a useful tool, offering much needed reassurance as we age.

What happens at an over 50s health check?

A full body health MOT for the over 50s examines various aspects of your health to form a better understanding of your overall health status. A health check for those over 50’s typically involves:

• Medical history review: Your medical history will be reviewed, including past illnesses, family medical history, and current medications.

• Physical examination: Undergoing a physical examination is a good way to assess your vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and body mass index (BMI). Other body systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems, may also be examined as part of this process.

• Laboratory tests: Tests requiring blood, urine, or stool samples may be carried out to assess key health indicators such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, liver function, kidney function, and inflammation markers. There are a whole range of tests designed to address individual risk factors and health concerns.

• Assessments: Individuals aged 50 and over can also benefit from undergoing tests for specific health conditions. For women, these may include mammograms for breast cancer, cervical cancer risk tests, and more. Men's health checks typically involve prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests for prostate cancer, as well as tests for colorectal cancer.

• Lifestyle assessment: Lifestyle also contributes to health status. Factors such as diet, exercise habits, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and stress levels can impact overall health. A lifestyle assessment may offer recommendations for lifestyle changes to help overcome these barriers to overall health.

• Consultation with healthcare professionals: Following the assessment, individuals have an opportunity to discuss the results in more detail with a healthcare professional. This allows for personalised recommendations, health education, and goal-setting to address any identified health concerns or risk factors.

Why do you need an over 50s health check?

There are many reasons why undergoing regular health checks can be of great benefit to the over 50s. The risk of developing certain health conditions increases as we age, so therefore, regular testing can help to identify signs and symptoms as soon as they appear.

Health check ups for the over 50s can help spot the first signs of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Different types of cancer

For individuals aged 50 and over, a health check is designed to:

Detect and diagnose

Scheduling in regular health checks means that you have a better chance of detecting and diagnosing potential health problems in the early stages, allowing for timely intervention and treatment before these develop into more serious issues. This early detection can significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Reduce risk

Identifying the risk factors for certain health conditions can empower you to take proactive steps towards risk reduction and even prevention. Regular health checks can alert you of these risk factors, decreasing your chances of disease development and improving your overall health.

Monitor overall health

Health checks can be used for monitoring health changes over time, and keeping tabs on your overall health. This process of monitoring helps develop preventative or treatment strategies as required.

What are the benefits of getting a health check if you’re over 50?

As we age, health concerns can build up and issues we have ignored in the past can become more problematic. Getting into the habit of booking regular health checks can help you to identify and address problems head on.

Health checks for the over 50s offer many benefits, from promoting preventive healthcare to enhancing quality of life. Here are some of the main benefits of getting a health check at 50.

Early detection of health issues: A health check can help identify health problems at an early stage, allowing for prompt intervention and treatment before they escalate into more serious conditions.

• Preventive healthcare: A health check helps individuals to take proactive steps toward preventing illness and promoting good health by assessing key health indicators and identifying risk factors.

• Personalised recommendations: Everyone is different and your health recommendations should reflect this. Personalised health recommendations tailored to your specific needs and risk factors will be given following a health check. These recommendations may include lifestyle modifications and treatment plans to improve health outcomes.

• Peace of mind: Health concerns can create feelings of anxiety and stress. A health check can offer reassurance and calm your worries about your general health and motivate you to maintain healthy habits and lifestyle choices.

• Take control: A health check puts you in control of your health by providing you with valuable insights into your overall health. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions about your health and take proactive steps toward achieving your health goals.

• Improved health outcomes: By addressing health issues early and implementing preventive measures, you can potentially improve your health outcomes and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases in the future.

Can an over 50s health check improve my wellbeing?

Worrying about your health is not productive and can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety if left unchecked. Brushing away symptoms or putting off health checks is not advisable, especially as we enter our 50s. Scheduling regular health checks not only takes care of your physical health but also calms worries and offers reassurance, therefore improving your overall wellbeing.

For healthy individuals, health checks can offer evidence that your healthy lifestyle is proving to be beneficial for you and that you should continue with the good work. Health checks for healthy individuals can be seen as a way of maintaining healthy habits and act as further motivation.

For those individuals who may need extra help and support with making better lifestyle choices, health checks can help to point out potential problems and set achievable health goals. Overall, health checks can help to assess and improve health status before any serious problems develop.

Where can I get an over 50s health check?

If you are aged 50 or over and are considering a health check, you can opt for the NHS health check route (which is available to people aged 40 and over) or explore the wide range of personalised private health check services available out there.

NHS Health Checks

Eligible individuals aged 40 to 74 are offered these health checks every five years and are free of charge. The health checks include assessing risk of developing common health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease.

Private Health Checks

Another convenient and easily accessible option is to go for private health checks offered by providers like Bluecrest Wellness. These checks offer more flexibility in terms of frequency, scheduling, and customisation of assessments based on your individual health needs and preferences.

Private health checks include a wider range of tests and assessments beyond what the NHS offers. Furthermore, you can also benefit from taking tests you would normally have to wait until you are aged 60 to be eligible for on the NHS, such as a bowel cancer assessment. Although private health checks do incur a cost, at Bluecrest Wellness, our full body health checks are affordably priced, making them a cost-effective alternative.

How can Bluecrest Wellness help?

Our private health MOTs are designed for busy people who want to take control of their health as they enter their 50s. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, non-invasive procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.

From evaluating lung, kidney, and liver function to assessing heart and lung health, our tests cover a wide range of vital indicators. Additionally, we conduct tests for cholesterol, diabetes (including an HbA1c blood test), protein, iron, and more, providing you with a thorough overview of your health.

Health Assessment Specialists carry out all tests in over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, so you get accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home. Our full health assessments include all the tests you need to take a proactive approach to monitoring and improving your health.

Explore our full body MOTs and book your comprehensive health assessment online today.