Health MOTs - are they worth it?
Discussion
A freind of mine has been having some problems for the last 6 months or so with feeling faint, and dizzy spells. The GP has diagnosed hypertension but that hasn't really helped to resolve matters, plus the medication that they have prescribed has some rather unpleasant side effects.
It would put minds at rest for them to have an thorough independent examination and Google brings up various places offering to do a Health MOT.
To cut a long story short has anybody had one of these and if so
Who did you use?
How much did it cost?
What di they check?
Did you feel it was worth it?
It would put minds at rest for them to have an thorough independent examination and Google brings up various places offering to do a Health MOT.
To cut a long story short has anybody had one of these and if so
Who did you use?
How much did it cost?
What di they check?
Did you feel it was worth it?
I get one every year through my work via Bupa and it includes blood tests, ECG, motor function tests and a fitness test as well as an hour or so of a doctor's time to discuss anything you want. It is apparently worth upwards of £1k but as I don't pay I'm not exactly sure on this. This is for a very normal office job so not something requiring physical fitness but it's a nice perk.
It is worthwhile in my view as I personally know 3 people who have had serious health conditions identified at a point where they had no obvious symptoms
It is worthwhile in my view as I personally know 3 people who have had serious health conditions identified at a point where they had no obvious symptoms
I'm somewhat in a position, professionally and personally to suggest this -
Recommend to you friend -
Buy a BP Monitor, no need for an expensive one, and monitor, say three times a day for a couple of weeks and then probably daily.
Build up their own factual picture of what's going on.
BP readings taken away from home as snap shots can be misleading; ie higher than the overall norm.
Once they have a proper picture reevaluate from there.
Clearly I don't know what readings have promoted the prescription of anti hypertensives - so they could check whilst taking the medication and it they want reduce or stop the medication and obtain further readings to gain a clear picture of what's going on.
Then decide what to do.
Recommend to you friend -
Buy a BP Monitor, no need for an expensive one, and monitor, say three times a day for a couple of weeks and then probably daily.
Build up their own factual picture of what's going on.
BP readings taken away from home as snap shots can be misleading; ie higher than the overall norm.
Once they have a proper picture reevaluate from there.
Clearly I don't know what readings have promoted the prescription of anti hypertensives - so they could check whilst taking the medication and it they want reduce or stop the medication and obtain further readings to gain a clear picture of what's going on.
Then decide what to do.
RGG said:
I'm somewhat in a position, professionally and personally to suggest this -
Recommend to you friend -
Buy a BP Monitor, no need for an expensive one, and monitor, say three times a day for a couple of weeks and then probably daily.
Build up their own factual picture of what's going on.
BP readings taken away from home as snap shots can be misleading; ie higher than the overall norm.
Once they have a proper picture reevaluate from there.
Clearly I don't know what readings have promoted the prescription of anti hypertensives - so they could check whilst taking the medication and it they want reduce or stop the medication and obtain further readings to gain a clear picture of what's going on.
Then decide what to do.
Thanks - already doing this .Recommend to you friend -
Buy a BP Monitor, no need for an expensive one, and monitor, say three times a day for a couple of weeks and then probably daily.
Build up their own factual picture of what's going on.
BP readings taken away from home as snap shots can be misleading; ie higher than the overall norm.
Once they have a proper picture reevaluate from there.
Clearly I don't know what readings have promoted the prescription of anti hypertensives - so they could check whilst taking the medication and it they want reduce or stop the medication and obtain further readings to gain a clear picture of what's going on.
Then decide what to do.
With the medication the BP readings are fairly consistent (AM and PM). the problem is that, at random times she starts feeling faint/dizzy. When she takes a BP reading it shows as high. the thing we're trying to get to the bottom of is - WHY does her BP shoot up at random times?
Countdown said:
RGG said:
I'm somewhat in a position, professionally and personally to suggest this -
Recommend to you friend -
Buy a BP Monitor, no need for an expensive one, and monitor, say three times a day for a couple of weeks and then probably daily.
Build up their own factual picture of what's going on.
BP readings taken away from home as snap shots can be misleading; ie higher than the overall norm.
Once they have a proper picture reevaluate from there.
Clearly I don't know what readings have promoted the prescription of anti hypertensives - so they could check whilst taking the medication and it they want reduce or stop the medication and obtain further readings to gain a clear picture of what's going on.
Then decide what to do.
Thanks - already doing this .Recommend to you friend -
Buy a BP Monitor, no need for an expensive one, and monitor, say three times a day for a couple of weeks and then probably daily.
Build up their own factual picture of what's going on.
BP readings taken away from home as snap shots can be misleading; ie higher than the overall norm.
Once they have a proper picture reevaluate from there.
Clearly I don't know what readings have promoted the prescription of anti hypertensives - so they could check whilst taking the medication and it they want reduce or stop the medication and obtain further readings to gain a clear picture of what's going on.
Then decide what to do.
With the medication the BP readings are fairly consistent (AM and PM). the problem is that, at random times she starts feeling faint/dizzy. When she takes a BP reading it shows as high. the thing we're trying to get to the bottom of is - WHY does her BP shoot up at random times?
I know you know the forum is not a place to go into further detail and I'm not in a position to be aware of the actual readings.
What I would say is for you both to do your own research as to the potential causes / triggers and I'm guessing you've both been doing that.
I would suggest the the principal would be to look at and exclude the possible physical causes of major concern and work down.
If it were me or a family member I would be gaining access to the medical records to see the GP detailed info, see if that reveals anything you're both not aware of and then taking it from there . There could well be something in the records that illuminate things.
If I were her, I'd take the BP readings, record then over say 2 weeks on a spreadsheet, see the GP and ask for a referral to a cardiologist.
In January 2003 I was due a total knee replacement, but I failed the pre-op medical assessment. Saw a cardiologist the next day and three days later had a pacemaker fitted. Never felt I needed anything like this, so very grateful for the pre-op check.
R.
In January 2003 I was due a total knee replacement, but I failed the pre-op medical assessment. Saw a cardiologist the next day and three days later had a pacemaker fitted. Never felt I needed anything like this, so very grateful for the pre-op check.
R.
this may be of help to someone...
a couple of years ago I had a medical issue (skin problem) and as part of the tests they checked my BP which was 233/140 - yes you read that correctly! they did another test 5 mins later which gave similar results and then they tried another machine with the same results. I had no symptoms at all of high BP and hadn't had a BP test in many years.
doc immediately prescribed hypertension pills to address the situation but even after 2 weeks of these I was still at around 170+ using my own measuring device on a daily basis every morning / evening. looks to me like they should prescribe even more hypertension pills but doc says the average is not too bad and more pills could result in too low BP which is worse than high BP. better to eat less salt and not be so fat
18 months later I'm still getting some high readings and after much complaining last month they fitted me out with a 24hr monitor which showed the results in the attached pictures.
it seems that BP is only a part of the bigger picture and in the absence of other contributing information is quite a vague indication of issues or even prospective issues. it's difficult to get any clear analysis of the results.
happy to be corrected by a pro in this field but my doc seems not too worried.
a couple of years ago I had a medical issue (skin problem) and as part of the tests they checked my BP which was 233/140 - yes you read that correctly! they did another test 5 mins later which gave similar results and then they tried another machine with the same results. I had no symptoms at all of high BP and hadn't had a BP test in many years.
doc immediately prescribed hypertension pills to address the situation but even after 2 weeks of these I was still at around 170+ using my own measuring device on a daily basis every morning / evening. looks to me like they should prescribe even more hypertension pills but doc says the average is not too bad and more pills could result in too low BP which is worse than high BP. better to eat less salt and not be so fat
18 months later I'm still getting some high readings and after much complaining last month they fitted me out with a 24hr monitor which showed the results in the attached pictures.
it seems that BP is only a part of the bigger picture and in the absence of other contributing information is quite a vague indication of issues or even prospective issues. it's difficult to get any clear analysis of the results.
happy to be corrected by a pro in this field but my doc seems not too worried.
If your company pays, go for it.
If you're paying, no.
I had one yesterday. Urine analysis, limited scope of blood tests, height, weight, waist and hip, moderately condescending discussion on healthy eating from an employee who had specific training to to the health MOT, and would definitely not colour outside the lines. They were not a medical doctor.
I've used Thriva in the past for specific blood tests - much better value than a private clinic and you can of course share the results with your GP.
Blood pressure - local chemist or my surgery waiting room has one.
Heart rate - clock and two fingers.
However, health MOT type sessions are absolutely not for second opinions on acute medial issues. Go back to the GP, or request a second opinion. As above, using a home BP kit and recording the results may help the GP get a fuller picture.
If you're paying, no.
I had one yesterday. Urine analysis, limited scope of blood tests, height, weight, waist and hip, moderately condescending discussion on healthy eating from an employee who had specific training to to the health MOT, and would definitely not colour outside the lines. They were not a medical doctor.
I've used Thriva in the past for specific blood tests - much better value than a private clinic and you can of course share the results with your GP.
Blood pressure - local chemist or my surgery waiting room has one.
Heart rate - clock and two fingers.
However, health MOT type sessions are absolutely not for second opinions on acute medial issues. Go back to the GP, or request a second opinion. As above, using a home BP kit and recording the results may help the GP get a fuller picture.
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