The clocks have gone back and the temperature has dropped – winter has arrived. With it comes the usual increase in sickness bugs, viruses and colds, and of course this season we still have Covid-19 to contend with. To help you stand the best chance of remaining healthy over the coming months, we’ve introduced a winter health check at our Dean Village practice and our new Queen Street pop up clinic. Read on to discover what’s included in the winter health check and how it could help you stay healthy this season.

What is included in a winter health check at YourGP?
A winter health check at YourGP includes the flu vaccine plus a blood pressure check, as well as a height, weight, and BMI check.

Why is it so important to get the flu vaccine?
With levels of flu fairly low in recent years, our levels of immunity have dropped, therefore making us less equipped to fight it off. The flu has potential to cause serious health problems such as pneumonia but the flu vaccine is a safe and highly effective way of protecting yourself from what can be a devastating illness. You can find out more about the importance of the flu vaccine here.

What is a blood pressure test?
A blood pressure test measures the pressure inside your arteries as your heart pumps blood. We would expect to see your blood pressure sit within a certain range, and figures outwith this range can be an indication of a health issue.

Why is a blood pressure test so important?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, rarely has noticeable symptoms. In fact, it is often referred to as the silent killer because, if left untreated, it increases your risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Worryingly, around a third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure, although many don’t know it. You can find out more about the importance of blood pressure tests here.

This year, we face the added complication of Covid-19 – a diagnosis of hypertension is linked to a higher risk of serious illness from Covid-19.

Why is a BMI test so important?
Checking your BMI is a good way to check if you are of a healthy weight. If the results indicate that you are overweight, for example, you will be at increased risk of issues such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and certain types of cancer.

Knowing your BMI is especially important as we continue the fight against Covid-19. As the government reported, ‘Living with excess weight puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19, with risk growing substantially as body mass index (BMI) increases. Nearly 8% of critically ill patients with Covid-19 in intensive care units have been morbidly obese, compared with 2.9% of the general population’.

Doing a BMI test is a good starting point for anyone wanting to take action to limit these risks and the healthcare experts at YourGP will advise on how best to do so.

How much does a winter health check at YourGP cost?
It costs £45.

When will I receive the results?
You will be given a report to take away with you and, if necessary, some relevant literature and guidance based on your results.

Who can have a winter health check at YourGP?
The winter health check is available to over 18s only and you don’t have to be registered at YourGP to book one.

How do I book a winter health check?
It is now easier than ever to book a winter health check at YourGP thanks to our new online booking system.

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