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Health

Annual Check-ups

(57 Posts)
mum2three Tue 09-Jun-26 08:52:34

I am in my late 70s and for the past few years I have been called in for annual MOTs. Weight and blood pressure are taken, plus a blood sample.
Fine, I don't have a problem with that apart from the fact that they keep pressuring me to take statins.
Now, however, because I'm taking 3 different medications, I've been called in for three separate checks. They do the same tests and ask the same questions. This just doesn't make any sense to me.
Do the rest of you get called in as frequently, or this a sign of a badly run practise?

Eddieslass Wed 10-Jun-26 17:02:20

I was called for a check up when I became 70 but never since - I'm now 81. I'm not on any medication so maybe best not to suggest one, as they'd probably find something wrong. I managed to cut my hand a few years ago and have had a few other health problems for which I've made appointments and been seen to quite promptly.

Paperbackwriter Wed 10-Jun-26 17:45:08

LadyGracie

I’m 75 this Friday and have never been called for a check up.

That's probably because you're not on any medication such as blood thinners, BP levellers etc. Happy birthday for Friday!

Harris27 Wed 10-Jun-26 17:57:15

I love to hear about people of a certain age not getting health check ups good for you and keep going!

FranP Wed 10-Jun-26 22:43:22

I would say it is a well run practice that they want to check on you. I feel like a nuisance when I ask for help.

I was pushed to statins by the practice nurse, even though the doctor say not necessary yet. It made me feel less than myself (generally grotty, if that makes sense) - lots of tests found nothing, and then I saw a post about the effects - with lots of "me too". I stopped taking them and my count recently (I was offered one of those research checks) was 5.2 ( should be 5 or under) with 1.4 LDL ( that is the important number should be under 3) - so they said very healthy for my age.

(My DH is 6+ and 2.4 even though he takes them)

Do look at your counts and ask again if it is really necessary, and what dietary changes you can make to help - I changed to skimmed milk with plant sterols for example. It is common for our age group to be put onto them to prevent heart attacks and strokes though, so a further more detailed conversation might be an idea

ViceVersa Thu 11-Jun-26 09:00:30

Harris27

I love to hear about people of a certain age not getting health check ups good for you and keep going!

Huh? What's good about NOT getting health checks?

yogitree Thu 11-Jun-26 09:36:00

monami

statins give doctors huge profits, they want the whole country to take them, our forebears managed perfectly well without them on a worse diet

Do they actually? Source?