What is Included in a Full Body Health Check?

A full body health check is a broader health assessment that brings together physical measurements, blood tests and other checks to give you a clearer picture of your current health.

Depending on the package you choose, a private full body health check may look at areas including heart health, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and kidney function, lung function and body composition. You'll receive your results after your appointment, with information to help you understand which areas are within the expected range and which may need further attention.

At Bluecrest Wellness, our full body health checks are also known as Health MOTs. The exact tests included vary between packages, so it's worth checking what's covered before booking.

What does a full body health check include?

The tests included in a full body check-up depend on the package you choose. A Bluecrest Health Assessment can include:

• Heart health checks, including an ECG
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar, including an HbA1c test
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Lung function
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• Body composition
• Iron and essential proteins
• Bone health, energy and muscle-related markers
• Blood health markers
• Heart disease and stroke risk assessment Some packages also include additional services such as a private GP consultation or access to a 24/7 GP helpline.

The tests available will depend on the Health Assessment you select. You can view Bluecrest's Health Assessment packages to compare what's included in each option.

Heart and blood pressure checks

A full body health check can provide information about your cardiovascular health through measurements and tests such as blood pressure and an ECG.

An ECG records the electrical activity of your heart and can identify certain irregularities in heart rhythm. Blood pressure measures the force of blood against the walls of your arteries.

High blood pressure often doesn't cause noticeable symptoms, so having it measured can provide information you may not get from how you feel day to day.

A Bluecrest Health Assessment can also use your results alongside other information to assess your risk of developing cardiovascular conditions.

Cholesterol and blood sugar testing

Blood tests can provide useful information about two important areas of metabolic health: cholesterol and blood sugar.

A cholesterol test measures different types of cholesterol in your blood. This can help give you a better understanding of your cardiovascular health alongside other risk factors.

Bluecrest uses an HbA1c blood test to measure average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. HbA1c testing can help identify blood sugar levels that are higher than the expected range and is commonly used when assessing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

These results are considered alongside your other health information rather than in isolation.

Liver and kidney function

Your liver and kidneys carry out important functions throughout the body, and blood tests can provide information about how they're working.

Liver function tests measure substances in your blood that can provide information about liver health.

Kidney function tests can measure markers such as creatinine and estimate how effectively your kidneys are filtering your blood.

Results outside the expected range don't necessarily mean there is a problem with your liver or kidneys. Your results need to be considered alongside your wider health and, where appropriate, discussed with a healthcare professional.

Lung function and respiratory health

Some full body health checks include a lung function test, which looks at how well your lungs are working.

Lung function testing can be useful when assessing respiratory health and may provide information about conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Bluecrest's lung function check is available as part of selected Health Assessments and is recommended for people aged 18 to 79.

Body composition and other physical measurements

A full body health check isn't just about blood tests.

Depending on the package, your assessment may include measurements such as BMI, waist circumference and body composition.

A body composition scan can provide information about factors including muscle mass, body water and visceral fat.

These measurements can add context to your blood test results and provide a broader view of your health.

What happens during a private full body health check?

A Bluecrest Health Assessment is designed to be straightforward and usually takes around 25 minutes, although this can vary depending on the package.

Your appointment will typically involve:

• A health and lifestyle discussion: a healthcare professional will ask about relevant aspects of your health and lifestyle.
• Physical measurements: these may include blood pressure, height, weight and other measurements depending on your package.
• Blood tests: samples are taken for the tests included in your chosen assessment.
• Additional checks: some packages include tests such as an ECG, lung function check or body composition scan.
• Results and guidance: your results are made available through the My Wellness dashboard, with information to help you understand them. Some results may be available within a few days, although processing times vary depending on the test.

How are full body health check results presented?

Bluecrest results are presented using a green, amber and red flag system.

This makes it easier to see which results are within the expected range and which may be worth paying attention to.

Your results are available through the My Wellness online dashboard, where you can also access a downloadable Results Report.

Where appropriate, Bluecrest provides guidance on what your results may mean and what you might want to consider doing next. If a result needs further medical investigation, you may be advised to discuss it with a GP.

A health check isn't a diagnostic appointment and can't identify every possible health condition.

What is the difference between a full body health check and a GP check-up?

A private full body health check and an NHS GP appointment serve different purposes.

A GP appointment is appropriate when you're experiencing symptoms, have a health concern or need medical advice. A GP can assess your symptoms, diagnose conditions and arrange further investigation or treatment where necessary.

A private health check is generally focused on reviewing a range of health measurements and markers, often when you don't have a specific symptom you're seeking treatment for.

In England, eligible adults aged 40 to 74 are offered an NHS Health Check every five years. This is designed to assess your risk of conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.

A private full body check-up can provide additional tests, depending on the package you choose.

Who can have a private full body health check?

Private health checks can be suitable for adults who want to take a closer look at a range of health markers.

The right assessment depends on factors such as your age, health, family history and what you want to check.

Bluecrest offers a range of Health Assessments, from general health MOTs to more targeted tests covering areas such as vitamins and minerals, hormones and cancer risk.

It's important to choose a package based on the checks that are relevant to you rather than simply choosing the largest number of tests.

How often should you have a full body health check?

There's no single frequency that's right for everyone.

Your age, existing health, family history and individual risk factors can all affect how often you may want to have your health checked.

If you're eligible for an NHS Health Check, it's offered every five years in England. If you choose private health assessments, you can discuss an appropriate frequency with a healthcare professional.

Repeat assessments can also help you compare results over time, particularly when you're interested in monitoring changes in specific health markers.

What are the benefits of a full body health check?

A full body health check can bring several areas of your health together in one appointment. It can help you:

• See a range of health measurements in one place
• Monitor markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar
• Understand more about your cardiovascular and metabolic health
• Check areas such as liver, kidney and lung function, depending on the package
• Track changes in results over time
• Identify areas that may be worth discussing with a healthcare professional
• Make more informed decisions about your health and lifestyle A health check isn't a replacement for medical care if you're experiencing symptoms. If something is worrying you, it's better to speak to your GP rather than waiting for a routine health assessment.

Frequently asked questions

What does a full body health check test for?

A full body health check can test several aspects of your health, including blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, heart health, liver and kidney function and lung function. The exact tests depend on the package you choose.

Is a full body health check the same as a Health MOT?

At Bluecrest, the terms full body health check, private health check and Health MOT can refer to broader health assessments that combine several checks and tests. The exact tests included vary between packages.

Can a full body health check detect health problems?

A health check can identify results that fall outside the expected range and may highlight areas that need further investigation. It isn't designed to diagnose every health condition, so any symptoms or concerns should still be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

How long does a full body health check take?

A Bluecrest Health Assessment usually takes around 25 minutes, although the exact appointment time depends on the package and tests included.

Is a private full body health check worth it?

That depends on your circumstances and what you want to check. A private health assessment can bring several health measurements and blood tests together in one appointment, while the NHS also provides free Health Checks for eligible adults aged 40 to 74 in England.

Book a Bluecrest full body health check

A full body health check can give you a useful snapshot of a range of health markers in one appointment.

At Bluecrest Wellness, results are presented using a straightforward traffic-light system, with guidance to help you understand what your results mean and what you may want to consider doing next.

View Bluecrest Health Assessments and book online.

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