Staying on top of your health doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does mean knowing which checks matter and when to have them. From cholesterol and blood pressure to bone density and eyesight, regular health tests can catch problems early, long before symptoms appear. For adults across the UK, building a few simple checks into your routine can make a real difference to long-term wellbeing, for yourself and for older relatives you may be looking out for.
Below, we’ve rounded up nine of the most important checks worth having, along with guidance on which age groups they’re aimed at, including the over 50s and beyond.
1. Blood Pressure Check
High blood pressure rarely causes obvious symptoms, which is exactly why it’s nicknamed the “silent killer.” A quick check with a cuff can reveal whether you’re at risk of heart disease or stroke, and it’s one of the simplest health tests available; most pharmacies offer it free of charge. Adults should have their blood pressure checked at least every five years from the age of 40, and more frequently once a reading is found to be raised.
2. Cholesterol Test
A simple blood test measures your cholesterol levels and helps assess your risk of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol often has no warning signs, so this is one of the more valuable health screening tests for anyone over 40, particularly if heart disease runs in the family.
3. Blood Glucose (Diabetes) Test
Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and can go unnoticed for years. A blood glucose test measures how well your body processes sugar and can flag early signs of diabetes or pre-diabetes. This check is particularly important for those who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or are approaching or beyond midlife.
4. Eye Test
Regular eye examinations do more than check your prescription — opticians can also spot early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, and even high blood pressure. Adults are generally advised to have an eye test every two years, though this may be more frequent for those over 50 or with existing eye conditions.
5. Hearing Test
Hearing loss tends to happen so gradually that many people don’t notice it until it’s fairly advanced. A simple hearing test can identify changes early, allowing for adjustments or aids that make a significant difference to quality of life, particularly for older adults living alone.
6. Bone Density (DEXA) Scan
As we age, bone density naturally declines, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. A DEXA scan measures bone strength and is typically recommended for women after the menopause and for older adults with risk factors such as previous fractures or a family history of osteoporosis.
7. Bowel Cancer Screening
Bowel cancer screening, usually carried out through an at-home test kit, checks for hidden blood in stool samples that could indicate early signs of cancer. In the UK, this screening is generally offered to adults from age 50 upwards, and catching changes early significantly improves outcomes.
8. Skin Check
A simple visual check of moles and skin changes can help catch skin cancer early. While you can do a basic self-check at home, it’s worth having any new, changing, or unusual moles reviewed by a GP or dermatologist, particularly if you have a history of sun exposure or fair skin.
9. Dental and Oral Health Check
Oral health is closely linked to overall health, with gum disease connected to conditions including heart disease and diabetes. Regular dental check-ups, usually every six to twelve months, help catch decay, gum disease, and even early signs of oral cancer.
The Over 50s Health Check: What to Expect
Turning 50 is often a good moment to review your overall health more thoroughly. This midlife review typically brings together several of the tests above — blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and a general lifestyle review — giving a clearer picture of your cardiovascular and metabolic health as you move into the next decade. Many GP surgeries will invite patients for this kind of review automatically, but it’s worth asking if you haven’t heard from your practice.
The Over 75 Health Check and Later-Life Screening
Once you reach your mid-seventies, the focus of health monitoring often shifts. This later-life review tends to place greater emphasis on mobility, memory, hearing, vision, and medication reviews, alongside the standard cardiovascular checks. GPs may also discuss falls risk and general independence at this stage, since these become increasingly relevant with advancing age.
For families supporting older relatives through this stage, it can help to have extra support in place. Arranging live in care ensures someone is on hand to help with appointments, medication routines, and daily wellbeing between check-ups, giving both the individual and their family greater peace of mind.
Making Health Checks Part of Your Routine
Keeping track of when each of these checks is due can be tricky, particularly for older relatives managing multiple appointments. A simple calendar reminder, or a conversation with your GP surgery about which checks you’re due, can help ensure nothing slips through the net. The NHS also runs a national midlife review programme covering many of the checks above, you can find out more about eligibility and what’s involved via the NHS Health Check service.
For those looking after ageing parents or relatives nearby, arranging private home care in Bromley can provide practical, day-to-day support, from attending appointments together to encouraging healthy habits between visits.
Staying proactive about these nine checks, whatever your age, is one of the simplest ways to protect your long-term health, and to give both you and your loved ones greater confidence about what lies ahead.
A Final Word for Families
If you’re supporting a parent or older relative, it’s worth having an open conversation about which checks they’ve had recently and which might be overdue. Many people put off appointments simply because they feel well, but several of the conditions picked up through routine screening, from raised blood pressure to early bone density loss, cause no symptoms until they’ve progressed. A gentle nudge, or an offer to attend an appointment together, can go a long way towards keeping an older relative’s health on track.
Building these checks into a regular routine, alongside good nutrition, staying active, and maintaining social connections, gives older adults the best chance of remaining independent and well for longer. And where extra support is needed day to day, a trusted local care team can help make sure nothing important gets missed.