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Most of us want to do what we can to look after our health and reduce our risk of chronic diseases. However, from the outside, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly how healthy we are.
Taking time to have routine health checks is not only a great way to keep tabs on your wellbeing, but it can also detect issues early on and save lives. This can be particularly true later in life, as age is a risk factor for many health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and several forms of cancer.
With that said, we’ve partnered with Bupa to explore seven reasons why you should have routine health checks. A Bupa health assessment provides personalised insights into your current health and future risk of various health concerns – with time to talk to a health adviser or GP included and support for your long-term goals, too.
Bupa is currently offering Rest Less members 20% off Bupa health checks.
What is a Bupa health assessment?
A Bupa health assessment includes a series of routine health checks that provide insights into your current health and future risk of disease – including cancer, diabetes, heart issues, and more. You’ll also have time to discuss your results and health goals with a health adviser or GP.
Bupa offers six general health assessments to suit a range of goals and lifestyles. These include everything from cholesterol and blood pressure testing to mobility assessments and mental health reviews. If you’re more at risk of certain conditions due to age, sex, or family history, specific health checks, such as heart assessments and targeted cancer screening, are also available and can be particularly effective at putting worries to rest.
Bupa also offers remote health assessments, where you can complete a series of health checks from home and discuss your results with a fully qualified health adviser over a video call.
Following your assessment, you’ll receive a detailed report of your results. You’ll also be provided with a year of support to help with your long-term goals and Bupa will be on hand to help arrange any follow-up appointments, either privately or with the NHS.
To find out more about Bupa health assessments, head over to their website. Bupa also has a comparison tool to help you find the right health assessment for you.
7 reasons why you should have routine health checks
Routine health checks provide valuable insights into our health and, in some cases, can save lives, too. Below, we’ll explore some of the main benefits of routine health checks.
1. Routine health checks offer a comprehensive health overview
Having a routine health assessment that analyses multiple body areas and health concerns in one go is a fantastic way to get a holistic, comprehensive overview of your health.
Bupa health assessments cover everything from cholesterol and blood pressure testing to heart rhythm screening, lung age, and haemoglobin levels (which, when low, is a sign of anaemia). These results can give you and your GP a clearer understanding of your internal health, allowing you to monitor health trends that may otherwise go unknown.
More generally, routine health checks can also benefit you if you’re interested in knowing more about how your body works by providing an immediate, big-picture overview of your health.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
2. Routine health checks encourage early diagnosis of health issues
It’s common for many serious health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers, to develop silently with very few or no noticeable symptoms – particularly in their early stages. This makes it easy for conditions to go undetected until symptoms appear, by which time things may already have progressed significantly.
Routine health checks can help spot signs of health issues at their earliest, most treatable stages – when symptoms aren’t always visible.
For example, during breast screenings, X-rays called mammograms are used to create detailed images of the breasts, which can reveal signs of breast cancer that may be too small to see or feel. Similarly, routine health checks can help to detect early signs of prostate cancer (the most common cancer in men), which generally develops slowly, often showing no symptoms for years.
It’s also worth noting that many diseases also affect more than one area of the body. Having routine health checks can encourage earlier diagnosis by monitoring several areas of health at one time – helping to spot signs that may otherwise be missed.
3. Routine health checks can lead to better health outcomes
We know from research that early diagnosis can make all the difference when treating chronic health conditions. Early detection often means earlier intervention, before conditions become more serious and when treatment is more likely to be successful.
For example, early diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, including conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), can help patients live longer, healthier lives. Earlier interventions, such as medication and lifestyle changes, tend to be more effective, less risky, and reduce the risk of life-threatening heart events, such as heart attacks.
Similarly, when it comes to cancer, we know that early diagnosis saves lives. According to research, just one in 10 people diagnosed with bowel cancer at the most advanced stage survive their disease for five years or more; compared to over nine in 10 people of those diagnosed during the earliest stage. Similarly, 98% of women with breast cancer will survive their disease for five years or more if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Note: It’s important to have NHS cancer screenings when you’re first eligible – or to see your doctor earlier if you have any health concerns. Bupa offers specific health checks, including targeted cancer screenings.
4. Routine health checks can encourage healthy lifestyle changes
By assessing our health and disease risk, routine health checks can be a great way to reflect on our current lifestyle, assess health goals, and consider any changes we might like to make.
Having a routine health check that reveals you could be at greater risk of developing a serious health condition is likely to encourage you to want to make lasting, preventative changes.
For example, if results show slightly raised cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar levels, you might feel inclined to make simple lifestyle adjustments, such as reducing your salt and added sugar intake. This can make all the difference to your future risk of developing conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
For this reason, many people find that health assessments are useful stepping stones towards building a healthier lifestyle. In fact, according to Bupa, 85% of people changed their lifestyle habits for the better after having a health assessment.
Plus, with a Bupa health assessment, you’ll have time to discuss your results with a health adviser or GP – allowing you space to ask questions and consider what changes may be most beneficial for your circumstances.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
5. Routine health checks can help with monitoring chronic conditions
For those already living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, having regular check-ups is key.
This allows healthcare professionals to monitor disease progression, adjust treatment plans where necessary, and help reduce the risk of complications.
Effective management of chronic health conditions can make all the difference to a person’s quality of life.
6. Routine health checks can offer peace of mind
Knowing that you’re taking active steps to monitor and improve your health can improve self-esteem and offer peace of mind. Plus, having regular health checks can provide reassurance that you’re healthy, as well as allowing you to address any concerns promptly.
Because many health conditions become more common later in life, it can be comforting to keep tabs on your overall wellbeing.
This can be especially true if you’ve been experiencing symptoms or have doubts about a specific area of your health. If you’re more at risk of certain conditions due to age, sex, or family history, specific health checks, such as heart assessments and targeted cancer screening, alongside general health assessments can be particularly beneficial for putting worries to rest.
7. Routine health checks are generally quick, easy, and painless
There are several reasons why people may feel reluctant to have routine health checks – including fear of experiencing pain or discomfort or concerns about time.
However, it’s important to remember that, aside from providing valuable insights into health, routine health checks can sometimes save lives. For this reason, making time for them and investing in your health is well worth it. Plus, most health checks are much easier, quicker, and more comfortable than people expect.
Bupa’s health assessments vary in length and detail, so there’s something to suit everyone. For example, with the Be Motivated assessment, you can have several detailed health checks carried out in as little as an hour. There are also remote health assessments, where you can complete checks from the comfort of your own home.
You can find out more about what to expect from different routine health checks on Bupa’s website.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Plus, Rest Less members get 20% off all Bupa Health Checks.
Final thoughts…
We all want to do what we can to look after our health and reduce our risk of serious health conditions. Having routine health checks is one of the best ways to get equipped with the information needed to make lasting changes to your health and lifestyle.
Bupa offers various health assessments, designed to look into your current health and identify any risks to your future wellbeing. Plus, with the option to discuss your results with a GP and year-long support following your assessment, you’ll have everything you need to reach your long-term goals.
Bupa is currently offering Rest Less members 20% off Bupa health checks.
For further reading, head over to our general health section. Here, you’ll find information on everything from bone and bladder health to longevity tips.
Is there anything that holds you back from having routine health checks? What benefits have you noticed from having frequent health assessments? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.