Easy Read
About health
checks
This is an Easy Read version of the Aneurin
Bevan University Health Board leaflet
‘What is a Health Check?’ | January 2015
Introduction
This leaflet is about your free Health Check.
Because you are over 40 years of age you have been
invited to have a free health check.
You do not have to be ill to have a health check. You
could have a health problem that you do not know
about.
Having a health check can lower your chance of
getting a serious health problem.
What will happen?
You can ask someone to come to the health check
with you if you want.
A health check will take 30 to 40 minutes.
You can say no to any part of the health check if
you are unhappy.
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The Healthcare Support Worker will find out:
▪▪
how much you weigh
▪▪
how tall you are
▪▪
if you do any exercise
▪▪
what kind of foods you eat
▪▪
if you smoke
▪▪
if you drink alcohol - like beer or wine
▪▪
if you are feeling happy or sad
▪▪
what medicine you are taking
▪▪
if you have any illnesses that run in your family.
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The Healthcare Support Worker will check:
▪▪
your blood pressure
Blood pressure is how fast blood moves around
your body. If it moves too fast or too slow, there
could be a problem.
▪▪
your heart - to see how fast it is beating
▪▪
your blood – a little bit of blood will be taken from
your finger to check your blood sugar levels and
cholesterol.
Your body needs cholesterol to work properly,
but too much or too little can cause illnesses.
After your health check
The Healthcare Support Worker will talk to you
about your health. They will give you advice about
how to lower the chance of getting ill.
You might need to have more tests, or see someone
else who can help you with your health.
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How to get a health check
You will be sent a letter inviting you for your health
check by your GP.
Remember to bring your glasses if you use them.
Please bring a list of any medicine you are taking.
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This document was made into Easy Read by
Learning Disability Wales using Photosymbols 5.