The core tests
Blood pressure, BMI and waist, fasting sugar and HbA1c, lipid profile, kidney and liver function, thyroid, and a complete blood count cover most of what matters.
These tests pick up the conditions that are common after 40 and often silent — high blood pressure, diabetes and raised cholesterol.
Screening by age and sex
Women should discuss cervical screening (a Pap smear or VIA) and breast examination; men over 50 may discuss prostate screening.
An ECG is useful if you have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking or a family history of heart disease.
What you can often skip
Large packages with dozens of tumour markers or vitamin panels rarely change care for healthy adults and can cause needless worry.
If a result is borderline, a repeat test or a conversation with your doctor is usually more useful than adding more tests.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor the same day if you notice:
- Chest pain or breathlessness on exertion
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in urine or stools
- A new lump anywhere in the body
In an emergency, call 108.
I see many patients who bring in thick reports from large packages and no one has explained the results to them. A good health check is short, focused and followed by a conversation. After forty, the conditions that matter most — high blood pressure, diabetes and raised cholesterol — usually cause no symptoms until they have done damage, which is why a yearly check is worthwhile. We go through each result together, decide what needs action and what can simply be watched, and agree on when to check again. That plan is the real value of the visit.
Frequently asked questions
About the author
MBBS, MD (Family Medicine) · 18 years’ experience · Reg. MMC 2009/04/1187
References
- National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases: Operational Guidelines. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, 2023.
- Operational Guidelines: Prevention, Screening and Control of Common Non-Communicable Diseases. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, 2016.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you’re worried about your health, see a doctor. In an emergency, call 108. Read our editorial policy.
