Why will I be offered physical health checks?

Everyone is invited to an initial physical health appointment in the first few weeks so that we can see if there are any physical health concerns. This will be offered annually, or more often if needed (for example if you change medication).

If you are started on medication, there will be more frequent checks to allow us to monitor for side effects. Frequency of these checks will depend on the medication prescribed, for example you might be offered one at 3 months and 6 months after starting.

What does the physical health check involve?

You will meet with a member of our team at a place convenient for you (this can be in our team building, at home or at your GP practice). In the appointment, we will carry out the following physical health measurements:

• heart rate
• blood pressure
• height & weight allowing us to a calculate a BMI (body mass index)
• waist measurements
• blood tests
• ECG (Electrocardiography) to check your heart

Health and Lifestyle questions

You will be asked about:

• Any medical conditions
• Allergies
• Family History (which includes immediate family members such as parents, grandparents, and siblings) of any heart conditions, diabetes, raised cholesterol or high blood pressure
• Medication (please bring a list from your GP)
• Lifestyle questions such as:
  • smoking
  • alcohol
  • drug use
  • diet and activity levels
  • weight changes
  • screening such as cervical smears
  • contraception
  • dental health

Weight

It’s entirely up to you if you want to be weighed.

However, we recommend you do as it is important to monitor weight, particularly if you are taking medication. Certain medications require weight to be monitored on a weekly basis for the first six weeks. If you start taking medication that requires this, we will speak to you about it.

If you do have a weight check, you do not need to know how much you weigh unless you want to know.

We can support if there are any issues around weight.

Blood Pressure

• A cuff is placed around your arm which expands, and you can feel it getting tighter. The cuff is around your arm for a minute or so.
• High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90 or higher.
• If we notice a high blood pressure, we will let you know and inform your GP.

ECG (Electrocardiography)

ECG’s record the electrical activity of your heart. We repeat these as some medication can cause changes that require monitoring.

What will happen in my appointment?

• You will be asked to lie flat on the bed
• Sticky pads will be placed on your arms, legs and chest area
• Wires will be attached to the sticky pads (some people might need to have small patches of hair shaved off to allow the pads to stick)
• The wires are attached to the ECG machine
• The ECG machine then takes a trace of your heart – this doesn’t hurt and isn’t uncomfortable.

Some clinicians may have slightly different equipment, for example if you are having the ECG done at home.

If it would make you feel more comfortable, you can choose to have someone in the room with you for example family member or carer.

What should I wear to my appointment?

• You will need to wear appropriate clothing as we need to access the chest area.
• It is important not to wear any items containing metal, for example, please do not wear necklaces, watches, bracelets.
• Please avoid applying body cream, talcum powder or oils on your skin before the appointment as these can prevent the pads from sticking.

Blood tests

• We do blood tests to get an idea of your baseline levels and pick up any abnormalities. We do a full range including checks on your kidney, liver, thyroid, sugar and fat levels.
• Blood is generally taken from your arm or the back of your hand.
• We advise that you eat and drink before your blood test as it is important to be hydrated.
• We do not provide numbing cream but if this is something that you would like, speak to your GP before your appointment.

How will I find out the results of my physical health check?

• After your physical health check, the team will review the results. They are also sent to your GP. We will get in touch if there are any results to discuss.
• If you would like a copy of your results, please ask a member of the team.

Further Information

• High blood pressure: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
• High blood sugar levels: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-sugar-hyperglycaemia/
• ECG: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/electrocardiogram/
• Quick Guide to Hyperprolactinaemia for staff, patients and carers (TEWV)
• Right from the Start: www.rightfromthestartmatters.com

L1136, v1, 2/07/2024, (archive 2/7/2027)