Health Assessments

A health assessment is a set of tests and examinations that give you an overview of your health. It includes medical and non-invasive tests that give you a clear picture of your health and wellbeing. 

You might choose to have a health assessment because of a specific health concern, or you may like support to improve your health. Health assessments focus on preventative health; informing you of potential issues and reinforcing good behaviours to support your health. The aim is to allow you to understand your body better and take control of your health. Whilst a health assessment is not a diagnostic process, they can be used to refer you to the relevant specialist privately, or to your NHS GP for consideration of an NHS referral. A health assessment however does not offer the ability to change your medication or provide a second opinion following on from your NHS GP management.

Health checks are carried out by trained health advisers and nurses. You can also include an online mental wellbeing assessment that will include access to CBT techniques these will walk the journey with you for the whole year. These can include access to helpful apps, personalised coaching, and information tailored to your own health, lifestyle and goals. They aim to make you feel better all over – in body and mind.

A fully comprehensive health assessment is also known as a 360 health assessment. These can include a dynamic cardiovascular test using ECG or aerobic fitness test (depending on clinical appropriateness) They can also include a coaching session with a Health & Wellbeing Physiologist to help motivate any necessary lifestyle modifications.

Included in a full a typical body health check may be:

Personal medical history and lifestyle questionnaire

  • Height and weight measurements

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation

  • Body fat percentage

  • Waist circumference

  • Body Composition Index

  • Hydration levels

  • Urine analysis

  • Full biochemistry profile including liver and kidney function

  • Blood glucose (diabetes)

  • Cholesterol test and full lipid breakdown

  • Analysis of nutritional status

  • Functional movement screening

  • Lung function test

  • Measurement of physiological resilience to stressors

  • Blood pressure

  • Resting ECG

  • Cardiovascular risk score

  • Chest x-ray (if clinically indicated)

  • Bowel cancer test (45+)

  • Dynamic cardiovascular test using ECG or Aerobic Fitness test

  • Analysis of metabolic syndrome risk. 

  • Testicular examination & guidance on self-examination

  • Prostate cancer blood test (50+).

  • Breast examination & guidance on self-examination

  • Pelvic examination

  • Cervical smear (relevant for women aged 25 to 64 based on clinical indication. 

  • High vaginal swab (if clinically indicated)

  • Thyroid function test (female 50+)

  • Mammography (where purchased and usually appropriate for those aged 40 and over).

What Are The Benefits Of A Health Assessment

Most health checks are designed to look for risk factors or early signs of diseases – the two most common being heart disease or cancer. A quarter of premature deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) and an estimated 50-80% of them are preventable.

The NHS offers a health check to everyone aged between 40 and 74 to pick up early signs of stroke risk, diabetes, dementia, and heart and kidney disease. The risk factors that commonly available checks are trying to identify are high blood pressure, poor diet, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, alcohol and drugs, poor kidney function, lack of exercise and air pollution.

Getting a health assessment will give you a better understanding of your health and your personal risks. Perhaps you already have a worry and you just want to talk it through, without feeling rushed. You might be anxious about any possible hereditary conditions. Or maybe you don’t have any specific concern’s but you’d still like to know how you’re doing. Whatever the reason, a health assessment could help you make the right decisions to protect or improve your health.

How To Get A Health Assessment

If you already have a health insurance policy it is worth checking whether you are eligible for a health assessment discount. Some insurers work with an individual health assessment provider to offer a saving. You can book a one-off health assessment directly or contact your health insurance specialist to include the cost of a health assessment within your normal health insurance renewal.

There are discounts to be made by purchasing assessments for employees. All health assessments need to be pre-booked and generally will need to be arranged by the individual having the assessment. Health cash plans offer cash back towards health assessments and is a great way of giving employees more control over their health and wellbeing.

If you would like to talk about offering health assessments to your employees, then speak to Pegasus Benefits today by clicking the button below.