The free NHS Health Check once you turn 40

In England, adults aged 40 to 74 are offered a check every five years. It takes about half an hour.

Health · By the Man Brief team · 1 min read · Friday 25 September 2026

If you live in England and you're between 40 and 74, the NHS offers you a free Health Check every five years, as long as you haven't already been diagnosed with certain conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own arrangements.

What happens

A nurse or healthcare assistant checks your blood pressure, height and weight, and takes a small blood sample for cholesterol. You'll be asked about family history, how active you are, whether you smoke and how much you drink. Most checks take 20 to 30 minutes.

You get the results and a plain talk about what they mean. If anything needs following up, you'll be booked in with your GP.

How to get one

Most people get a letter or a text from their GP practice. If you're over 40 and haven't had one, you can ring the practice and ask. In some areas, local pharmacies run the checks too.

Write down any questions before you go, and take a list of any medicines you're on. Nobody likes the blood pressure cuff, but it's over in a minute.