Routine NHS MOT could map the risk of dementia and other diseases, research has revealed.
Millions of Brits are eligible for a free check-up every five years after the age of 40.
The half-hour family doctor or pharmacy measures height, waist size, blood pressure and cholesterol and asks questions about exercise, drinking and smoking.
People are not eligible if they have a chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease, as they have regular check-ups anyway.
Scientists from University of Oxfordfound that the information gathered from this MOT is enough to give people an estimate of their likelihood of developing a range of diseases within 10 years, with an accuracy of at least 70 percent.
The current system focuses on heart disease, with patients being instructed to take statins if the likelihood of suffering a heart attack or stroke is estimated to be high.
The new study, published in BMJ Evidence-based Medicine, found that it was possible to accurately assess the risk of a range of other diseases.
The accuracy of the risk scores produced was 82% for dementia, 79% for heart attacks, 73% for stroke and 77% for chronic kidney disease and fatty liver disease.
An accuracy rate of 86 percent for alcoholic liver disease, 76 percent for liver cirrhosis and 75 percent for liver failure was achieved.
FIND DISEASES EARLY
The researchers said implementing an MOT, which gives patients a range of scores, could ensure earlier treatment and better prognoses.
Experts say that as well as illnesses being detected earlier, the approach could reduce pressure on GPs, freeing up their time.
For the study, academics analyzed data from 228,240 adults from the UK Biobank.
Lead author Celeste McCracken said: “Our findings suggest that primary care providers could use a single set of easily collected information to generate multiple disease risk scores simultaneously.
“This could significantly speed up the process, potentially improving early disease detection and prevention efforts.”
She said risk estimates could be made using information already routinely collected.
The researcher said: “We understand the National Health Service has limited resources and this can have huge implications for people in hard-to-reach places.”
The team said a larger study would be needed to confirm the findings.
Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Your Risk of the Biggest Killers in Each Decade of Life
CANCER, dementia and heart disease are among the biggest causes of death in the UK.
Around 167,000 people die each year from cancer, 160,000 from heart disease and 74,000 from dementia.
Around 167,000 people die each year from cancer, 160,000 from heart disease and 74,000 from dementia.
Prevention is better than cure and simple lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Eating better, exercising, using sunscreen and seeing friends can help prevent illness.
Here is Dr. Tom Matthew, from mbewellness.comtells us how to protect yourself – no matter your age.
IN YOUR 20S
- Quit Smoking: Smoking is linked to 15 types of cancer, heart disease, heart attack, stroke and dementia
- Get the HPV vaccine: It can prevent six different types of cancer
- Turn down the volume: Protect your hearing for your brain’s sake
IN YOUR 30S
- Join a gym: Exercise may increase your risk of cancer, heart disease and dementia
- Stop sunbathing: Getting sunburned just once can triple your risk of skin cancer, which can kill you.
IN YOUR 40S
- Cut down on alcohol: Drinking alcohol is associated with seven types of cancer, heart disease and dementia.
- NHS MOT: it’s free and checks many health problems
- Watch your weight: Obesity can cause heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and can cause 13 different types of cancer
IN YOUR 50S
- See Friends: Socializing is believed to reduce the risk of cancer and dementia
- Cancer screening: The NHS offers free HPV, bowel and breast cancer screenings
- Reduce stress: Studies have linked stress to heart disease, potentially as a result of higher blood pressure
IN YOUR 60S AND 70S
- Take aspirin: It can reduce inflammation in the body associated with cancer
- Vital check in men: go for the free NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm scan (you’ll be invited when you’re 64/65)
- Back to School: Keep Learning and Socializing to Avoid Dementia
- Go Mediterranean: It’s Full of Fiber That Can Prevent Bowel Disease
How do I get an NHS MOT?
If you are aged between 40 and 74 and do not have a pre-existing health condition, you should be invited for an NHS health check by your GP or local council every five years.
If you think you are eligible but haven’t been invited, contact your GP surgery to find out if they offer NHS health checks.
Alternatively, you can contact your local council to find out where you can get an NHS health check in your area.
Some pharmacies also offer NHS health checks.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
