We never hesitate to take our cars for an annual MOT but when it comes to our own health, many of us neglect regular check-ups until something serious arises. Yet health research continues to show that the earlier you're aware of indicators of poor health, the more chance you've got of making changes or getting the help you need to ensure they don't develop into more serious conditions in the future. Once you reach 40, the NHS in England offers free health checks every five years up to the age of 74.
These checks screen for risk factors associated with things like heart disease, stroke and diabetes through blood tests, blood pressure and weight measurements. If you don't fall within the eligible age range for the NHS check, private health assessments are also available. I recall my first NHS health check at 40 being quite comprehensive but, unfortunately, my five-year follow-up didn't go as smoothly.
Despite having my blood tests done, I was never invited for a follow-up. When I enquired with my GP, I was briefly reassured that there was "oh there's nothing to worry about", although it was mentioned in passing that my cholesterol levels were elevated, without any further explanation. I was intrigued by the latest research on cholesterol published in August by the Lancet, which highlighted that high levels of LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of dementia.
What caught my attention was the study's conclusion that addressing high cholesterol between the ages of 18 and 65 cou.
