We are starting to offer checks in practices serving populations that we believe are most at risk of some of these conditions. If you are a patient of one of these practices, you may receive a telephone call to offer you a health check. They will ask you some simple questions about your health and whether you are taking any medicines at all. If you want to take up the offer of a check, they will book you an appointment there and then, and send you a letter to confirm your appointment. The company providing the checks has been asked to do them on behalf of NHS Bournemouth and Poole and your practice. They have been accredited as providing a high quality service, working closely with your GPs and the PCT. From April 2012 onwards, we hope that a number of GP practices will start to offer the checks directly.

Once you have had your check you will be told your level of risk – normally the chance of having a heart attack or other cardiovascular condition in the next 10 years. A risk of more than 20 per cent is considered quite high, and you will need to see your GP for a proper assessment and advice on reducing your risk.

Simple things you can do to reduce your risk include taking more exercise, making sure you eat a balanced diet that is low in fat, and, if you smoke, quitting smoking.

Find out more about what the healthcheck entails. 

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