Private health checks offer a great way of keeping on top of your health and making important lifestyle choices for your future.
But, with so many different tests and aspects to choose between, finding the right type of assessment for your specific situation can be easier said than done. After all, there may be certain elements of your health you would like looked at that aren’t offered from clinic to clinic.
With this in mind, we have compiled this helpful guide to highlight the most important factors to consider when choosing your next comprehensive health assessment.
What is a private health check?
First things first, let’s look at what a private health check — or private health assessment — is.
As we get older, we all increase our risk of developing major health conditions like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and dementia. This is perfectly natural but makes it all the more important to catch any signs or symptoms of these conditions as early on as possible.
A private health check aims to do exactly that — examine your overall health and identify whether you are at risk of developing any major health conditions. This is done using a range of assessments, including MRIs, CT scans and blood tests. However, the exact tests used will vary depending on the specific type of private health check you decide to book.
What do private health checks involve?
Private health assessments come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the more standard GP physicals to the more comprehensive exercise and breathing tests. Therefore, finding the right type for you will depend on what exactly it is you’re looking to achieve.
Standard tests, for instance, won’t analyse your body’s inner workings as comprehensively as other assessments but can indicate some mild health problems. They can’t, however, detect whether you have any potential cancer or diseases present in your organs or surrounding tissues — a more comprehensive test will be needed for this.
Here at Echelon Health, we offer a wide variety of comprehensive tests and health assessment packages that can detect diseases or cancer.
Each of these uses state-of-the-art medical technology and features a variety of scans, including:
- MRIs
- CT scans
- Blood tests
- Ultrasounds
- ECGs
- Digital mammograms
- Full-body mole screening
Although these assessments can sound intimidating, don’t worry — our team is full of industry professionals who can put your mind at ease and help you feel comfortable throughout your assessments.
If you have any concerns in advance of your assessment, simply get in touch with us and we’d be happy to help.
What are the benefits of a private health screening?
The importance of keeping on top of your health cannot be stressed enough. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect from getting a private health check done on a regular basis.
Earlier identification of health conditions
One of the more obvious benefits of a private health check is that it can help identify health risks earlier rather than later.
Many of us fail to show any symptoms of health conditions until much later on in life, and we can develop them without even noticing, so it can be easy to underplay their significance.
Health screenings offer a highly effective method of identifying potential issues earlier on, allowing you to intervene and get them under control sooner.
Stimulate better lifestyle choices
Private health checks also offer a great way of stimulating important changes in your day-to-day life.
During your screening, you will be able to witness first-hand how certain lifestyle choices, such as your diet, alcohol intake or smoking habits, can potentially contribute to ill health.
From your results, you will then be able to work with a practitioner to make any appropriate changes to improve your health and keep any serious health conditions under control.
Specific health condition screening
If you choose Echelon Health as your private health clinic, our screenings can also be tailored to specifically focus on your circumstances.
If, for instance, you have a known family history of a particular heart-related condition, we can ensure your health screening focuses on your heart health thanks by recommending our Healthy Heart package.
Regardless of what your personal background or health circumstances might be, we can create a private health check that provides answers to any particular concerns you are having.
How long does a private health check take?
Depending on the type and number of assessments you choose, a typical health check can take anywhere between one hour and six hours to complete.
Regardless of how long your assessment is, your chosen clinic will always ensure that you are kept as comfortable as possible.
Private health checks are incredibly detailed but, here at Echelon Health, we ensure that each assessment is never tedious and you will be kept regularly updated on your progress and results throughout your time with us.
How often should I get a private health check?
There are a few factors that affect how regularly you should get a private health check. These largely include:
- Your age
- Any potential risk factors you have
- Your current health status
If you are under the age of 40 and are in good health, for instance, private health checks are generally recommended as and when you feel you need them. After you turn 40, however, you should have one every four years or so, or as regularly as you feel you need.
When to get your health checked can differ from person to person, so it’s really up to you how regularly you want to be looked at.
If you are particularly worried about your health, a more regular health screening schedule could provide you with the peace of mind and reassurance you need to know that your health is under control.
How much does a private health check cost?
The cost of your private health check will depend on the package and set of scans you choose to undergo.
Here at Echelon Health, for instance, we offer a range of different health assessment packages, starting from as low as £2,500 and going up to £14,000. We also offer bespoke packages tailored towards your specific needs, with which the price would be determined by the type and number of assessments you choose.
If you have a strict budget in mind, speak to one of our experienced team members to find the most suitable package.
What to look for when choosing a private health clinic
There are a few things to look for when choosing a private health clinic, and it is important to do your research in advance. Ultimately, you will need to pick a clinic that not only values its clients but is also one you can completely trust.
With this in mind, here are some key questions to ask when researching the right clinic for your needs:
- What medical technology do they use? It’s important for your clinic to use the latest medical technology to ensure you feel confident that you are getting an accurate result each time.
- What types of scans, assessments and package options do they offer? Clinics that offer a wide range of different scans or packages will be able to tailor your assessment to meet your specific circumstances.
- Do you trust them with your health? Your health screening will need to be conducted at a clinic you can trust, so make sure to look out for the ones that have the best medical practitioners available.
- What are their reviews like? Always make sure to check the clinic’s reviews and previous patient testimonials to get a more authentic idea of what your screening experience is likely to be.
Why choose Echelon Health for your private health check?
Here at Echelon Health, we provide a wide array of comprehensive health assessments that can cover your whole body. Also known as a full-body MOT, each of our detailed screenings can help you keep on top of your health and get you back to feeling your best.
We take great pride in being a trusted company that:
- Understands and values its clients
- Achieves optimum and accurate results using only the most recent and innovative medical technology
- Respects your individual circumstances and understands that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to health
- Offers a wide range of options for different scans or packages
- Works with highly experienced medical practitioners and leaders within their field
- Prioritises your body and health throughout your screening
- Offers an unparalleled client service to make you feel as comfortable as possible
- Uses a combination of modalities (CT, MRI and ultrasound) to screen your entire body
Depending on what you would like your health assessment to include, we can tailor your package around you, ensuring you won’t undergo any tests you feel are not necessary.
If, however, you don’t have any specific testing preferences, each of our Platinum, Gold, Core Cancer and Healthy Heart packages offers a fantastic, cost-effective way of maintaining your health.
For more information on these packages, please contact our team or discover more about what your day with us at Echelon would be like.
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