Big health check

[13m]

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

[MOBB]

I bought one through Groupon last year, about £70 I think, cant remember the name of the provider though sorry.

Pretty decent I thought for the money.

eg of one on Groupon now;

Health Screening - £79 (71% Off)
•Full body composition measuring height, weight, fat content, hydration and metabolism plus BMI calculation
•Cardiovascular and respiratory system checks
•Ten-year heart disease risk assessment
•Blood profile to test biochemistry readings relating to liver, kidney, diabetes, cholesterol, iron and 25 specific lab readings
•Personalised report and action plan where appropriate

Advanced Health Screening - £119 (73% Off)
•Full body composition measuring height, weight, fat content, hydration and metabolism plus BMI calculation
•Cardiovascular and respiratory system checks
•Ten-year heart disease risk assessment
•Blood profile to test biochemistry readings relating to liver, kidney, diabetes, cholesterol, iron and 25 specific lab readings
•ECG test to check heart beat regularity
•Lung function assessment
•Personalised report and action plan where appropriate

[Davey S2]

I'd request a PSA test for your prostate from your doctor if you haven't had one already.

There is some history of it in my family so I have a 1 in 3 chance of getting prostate cancer at some point so need to start getting regular tests myself (currently 43)

[FlyingMeeces]

Attending all relevant screening when called for it will cover pretty much anything, taking reasonable care of yourself, checking your balls/moobs and paying attention to your body (don't ignore that persistent cough/dodgy mole/change in what seems euphemistically to be called 'bowel habit') covers the rest.

I got diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia last year after a routine blood test prior to starting a new medication, they don't usually check cholesterol in under 40s so I feel bloody lucky - massively increased risk of heart attack/stroke, treated by going on statins, I got a talk from the GP that started "I need to tell you something" and ended "so take these and the risk will basically drop to normal".

[Sparkysea]

You referred to an NHS one. Was this at your GP's? If not I suggest you ask for one there as most practices offer to people over 40; it is well worth doing. They should explain the results to you and advise if any additional screening is required. Don't assume because your paying it will be better, there are several private companies that sell gimmicky tests when there's actually no medical evidence to support them. If your unsure discuss with your GP

[13m]

Sparkysea said:

You referred to an NHS one. Was this at your GP's? If not I suggest you ask for one there as most practices offer to people over 40; it is well worth doing. They should explain the results to you and advise if any additional screening is required. Don't assume because your paying it will be better, there are several private companies that sell gimmicky tests when there's actually no medical evidence to support them. If your unsure discuss with your GP

Yes at the GPs.

Most of the GPs at our local surgery seem not very good, to be honest. I had bloods done recently for something; I asked for a specific test to be done and it was the only one of the tests that came back with anything useful.

I am sure there are some gimmicks out there, but equally I suspect there are some good ones.

[Derek Chevalier]

13m said:

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

If you are still training hard it may be worth considering a cardiac stress test (ECG on treadmill/bike) rather than a resting one.

[13m]

Derek Chevalier said:

13m said:

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

If you are still training hard it may be worth considering a cardiac stress test (ECG on treadmill/bike) rather than a resting one.

I agree. I started rowing not long ago to replace a chap who died on an erg whilst rowing. Perhaps I should be more cautious.

[throt]

13m said:

Derek Chevalier said:

13m said:

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

If you are still training hard it may be worth considering a cardiac stress test (ECG on treadmill/bike) rather than a resting one.

I agree. I started rowing not long ago to replace a chap who died on an erg whilst rowing. Perhaps I should be more cautious.

Jeeps,,, that unfortunate happening could of happened on any exercise machine though, no doubt.. However, have the C2's a reputation for it ?..I wouldn't know...

[Derek Chevalier]

throt said:

13m said:

Derek Chevalier said:

13m said:

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

If you are still training hard it may be worth considering a cardiac stress test (ECG on treadmill/bike) rather than a resting one.

I agree. I started rowing not long ago to replace a chap who died on an erg whilst rowing. Perhaps I should be more cautious.

Jeeps,,, that unfortunate happening could of happened on any exercise machine though, no doubt.. However, have the C2's a reputation for it ?..I wouldn't know...

My thinking is that as the erg works the whole body it makes it easier to work the heart to the limit, and rowers tend to be a very committed bunch!

There is growing evidence that the veteran athlete may be more susceptible to heart arrhythmia that their untrained equivalent, but the benefits of being fit outweigh the risks - as long as training is done in moderation.

[throt]

Derek Chevalier said:

throt said:

13m said:

Derek Chevalier said:

13m said:

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

If you are still training hard it may be worth considering a cardiac stress test (ECG on treadmill/bike) rather than a resting one.

I agree. I started rowing not long ago to replace a chap who died on an erg whilst rowing. Perhaps I should be more cautious.

Jeeps,,, that unfortunate happening could of happened on any exercise machine though, no doubt.. However, have the C2's a reputation for it ?..I wouldn't know...

My thinking is that as the erg works the whole body it makes it easier to work the heart to the limit, and rowers tend to be a very committed bunch!

There is growing evidence that the veteran athlete may be more susceptible to heart arrhythmia that their untrained equivalent, but the benefits of being fit outweigh the risks - as long as training is done in moderation.

Absolutely,

51 yrs here and always have trained. Football when I was a boy, 12 yrs old joined a cycling club, mid week cycle training, Sunday long cycle meet/ride and cycled London to Lands End at 13 yrs old with much older athletes. And in my teens always exercising, going down the gym, then back again to Saturday football at 28 yrs to 32 yrs and now work out in my own sweat box. I do often think about strength and condition of the ticker. I agree, athletes really do push themselves very hard on the C2 and sometimes you have to wonder why they, or us do it, if we are not Olympians and the like.

[13m]

throt said:

Derek Chevalier said:

throt said:

13m said:

Derek Chevalier said:

13m said:

Does anyone have these?

I am mindful that I am into my 50s now and I don't want anything to creep up on me.

I had a NHS one six months ago and it was a waste of time. A fat nurse weighed me and said I was too heavy (gym 5 times a week is the reason) and that I should eat fewer eggs.

So I am going to pay for a better one. I will try BUPA but if anyone has any good suggestions it would be appreciated.

If you are still training hard it may be worth considering a cardiac stress test (ECG on treadmill/bike) rather than a resting one.

I agree. I started rowing not long ago to replace a chap who died on an erg whilst rowing. Perhaps I should be more cautious.

Jeeps,,, that unfortunate happening could of happened on any exercise machine though, no doubt.. However, have the C2's a reputation for it ?..I wouldn't know...

My thinking is that as the erg works the whole body it makes it easier to work the heart to the limit, and rowers tend to be a very committed bunch!

There is growing evidence that the veteran athlete may be more susceptible to heart arrhythmia that their untrained equivalent, but the benefits of being fit outweigh the risks - as long as training is done in moderation.

Absolutely,

51 yrs here and always have trained. Football when I was a boy, 12 yrs old joined a cycling club, mid week cycle training, Sunday long cycle meet/ride and cycled London to Lands End at 13 yrs old with much older athletes. And in my teens always exercising, going down the gym, then back again to Saturday football at 28 yrs to 32 yrs and now work out in my own sweat box. I do often think about strength and condition of the ticker. I agree, athletes really do push themselves very hard on the C2 and sometimes you have to wonder why they, or us do it, if we are not Olympians and the like.

The chap I replaced was a proper hardcore rower. It's all he did. I was very surprised when he keeled over and croaked because he was very fit. I was undergoing treatment for some sort of cancer at the time, but nonetheless a fit guy.

[Wacky Racer]

Davey S2 said:

I'd request a PSA test for your prostate from your doctor if you haven't had one already.

There is some history of it in my family so I have a 1 in 3 chance of getting prostate cancer at some point so need to start getting regular tests myself (currently 43)

PSA tests are not 100% reliable and can give false results.

Google is your friend.

[Sparkysea]

Wackey Racey is right.

I would advise to stick to NHS screening programmes unless you're worried you've got something wrong with you and are not reassured by GP. Then you could ask for a private opinion by a hospital specialist if you want to go down private route

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing/die...

[13m]

Sparkysea said:

Wackey Racey is right.

I would advise to stick to NHS screening programmes unless you're worried you've got something wrong with you and are not reassured by GP. Then you could ask for a private opinion by a hospital specialist if you want to go down private route

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing/die...

The NHS health check was rubbish. The dietary advice offered was also rubbish.

Because I am 14 stone at 5ft 9.5in I was significantly overweight according to BMI - despite having body fat of somewhere between 14-15%. It was a check-up that may have been useful to a sedentary pie-eating smoker, but for someone fit and active it was a waste of time.

[Sparkysea]

Why exactly was it rubbish? Did you interpret your blood results? The health check is not about giving in depth dietary advice

[13m]

Sparkysea said:

Why exactly was it rubbish? Did you interpret your blood results? The health check is not about giving in depth dietary advice

No I didn't, but then I shouldn't need to.

It focused mostly on lifestyle factors and how to deal with my imaginary "weight problem".

[Fastpedeller]

I've given up with the GP's..... Had a health check and the nurse (to be fair the only person there who has common sense) said my BMI was too high, but she could see I am an athlete so ignore it, but made a note of it all the same? My other visit to the GP was because I was getting severe vertigo. I don't think they believed me - and I kept saying to them a had pains (and pointing to my left side under ribs) every time I suffered. It got to the point where I had an 'attack' during the night and my Wife called ambulance and they thought I'd had a heart attack (you have some symptoms!) rushed me to hospital where I had bloods tested etc for 3 hours and they declared I was very fit, and they could find nothing wrong and I may benefit from alternatives such as Homoeopathy or acupuncture. My Wife suggested (because of pains)that I should go to see a nutritionist, who on being told my symptoms said "dozey lot, I'll bet any money you've become lactose intolerant, I suggest come off milk immediately". I've followed the advise and (thankfully) been ok since. Granny used to say "you are what you eat" and certainly if an intolerance or allergy is there it must be through food, drink, or inhaled (given that no needles are being used)

[13m]

Fastpedeller said:

the nurse....said my BMI was too high, but she could see I am an athlete so ignore it,

Same here. But the "ignore it" bit worries me.

I had a telephone consultation with a GP yesterday and she seemed a little too concerned about testing for diabetes. Could this be because my BMI is so high on their system?

Also, I took out life cover a few years ago and had some challenges with the insurer because a GP recorded in my notes something that required more explanation in order that it would not be misinterpreted. It nearly stopped me getting life insurance full stop. In the end I managed to get it on standard terms after another GP connfirmed that the orginal GP had been careless.

It worries me sometimes that medics are allowed to practise medicine.

[throt]

13m said:

Same here. But the "ignore it" bit worries me.

I had a telephone consultation with a GP yesterday and she seemed a little too concerned about testing for diabetes. Could this be because my BMI is so high on their system?

.

Hi 13,

Go and buy yourself a glucose testing kit from your local chemist. I have all my own kit. They just look at the basics at these GP surgery, like weight with height, so, yes, they are zooming in on your BMI. Diabetes has been so overlooked the past 20 years so they appear to be more on it, its a horrible thing to have..