Health Check Frequency by Age: When to Book Your Next Check-Up in London

17 Sep 2025

Health checks are not just for when you feel sick. Regular reviews and screenings help find problems early, often before symptoms appear. Early detection of issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol can lower future risks. At South Kensington MD, we provide full assessments suited to every stage of life so you get the right advice and treatment.

The significance of routine checks goes beyond spotting illness. In busy daily life, health is easy to overlook until problems arise. Routine check-ups can thus help catch concerns early, support a better quality of life, and even add years to your lifespan. The right timing and type of check will depend on your age, family history, lifestyle, and current health.

This guide explains the key purposes of routine checks and how frequently you should see a GP, and the expectations at each life stage.

Key Purposes of Regular Check-Ups

A medical check-up is more than any doctor’s visit. It reviews your overall health and helps detect early signs of illness. At the same time, it confirms that your body systems are working as they should. Think of it as an upkeep check for your body, similar to servicing a car to keep it running smoothly.

Here are the key purposes of considering routine checks:

• Early diagnosis: Many serious illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers, show no signs at first. Routine checks help find them early, before they advance and become dangerous.
• Managing existing conditions: Frequent visits assist in maintaining control of chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension.
• Prevention: Doctors can guide you on lifestyle habits, vaccines as well as screenings that is appropriate for your age and health needs.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that your health is being monitored lowers stress and encourages a proactive approach to wellbeing.

How Frequently Should You Consider Regular Checkups

Children and Teenagers (0 to 18 Years)

Health assessments in early life focus mainly on development, growth and vaccines.

What happens:

• Newborn to 4 years: Routine visits that adhere to the national child health plan.
• 5 to 12 years: Yearly checks to track growth, eyesight, and hearing.
• 13 to 18 years: Care focused on mental health, puberty changes, immunisations and fitness.

Ages 18 to 29: Building the Base

In your late teens and twenties, the goal involves establishing a strong foundation for your health. A yearly exam isn’t always needed unless problems arise. Still, it is a good idea to see a clinician every 2–3 years for health checks.

How regularly to check:

• Every 2 years: Blood pressure, body mass index, mental health review.
• Once a year: STI tests and skin checks.
• As recommended: Cervical screening from the age of 25, after every 5 years.

Important tests:

• Blood pressure: At least every 2 years.
• STI testing: Yearly if sexually active.
• Cholesterol check: Every 4 to 6 years, beginning at 20.
• Cervical cancer test through pap smear: Start at 21, repeat every 3 years.
• Mental health: Screening for depression if signs appear.

This stage is also the best time to build healthy routines in diet, sleep, exercise, and emotional well-being.

Ages 30 to 39: Tracking Health

By your thirties, the effects of lifestyle choices become clearer. Health checkups are more important now; this is also a good time to spot trends as well as prevent future illness.

How often to check:

• Every year: Complete assessment with blood tests, heart health, diabetes, and cholesterol.
• When recommended: Mammograms (from 50), prostate checks, and bowel screening.

Key tests:

Carry on with all checks recommended in your twenties, plus the following:

• Blood glucose: Particularly if you are overweight or with diabetes in the family.
• Reproductive health: Pre-pregnancy counselling if planning to have children.
• Skin checks: Do yearly self-exams and see a doctor if you notice changes.

Ages 40 to 49: Early Detection

The risk of long-term illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease tends to increase in your forties. Frequent checks matter more now. A 45 to 49 health check can thus help assess risks and guide prevention.

Check-up frequency:

• Each year; or as advised by your doctor.

Key tests:

• Diabetes test: Every 3 years from 45; sooner if at a high risk.
• Mammograms: Women from 40, at least every 1 to 2 years.
• Colonoscopy: Start at 45; and earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.
• Prostate health: Men need to discuss screening at 45 to 50 years, particularly if at a high risk.
• Vision and hearing: At least every 2 to 4 years.
• Bone density: Also recommended if risk factors for osteoporosis are present.

Ages 50 to 64: Prevention and Care

From 50 years onward, the risk of chronic illness is highest. Yearly health checks are thus vital to prevent or slow disease. Thyroid and other hormone-related conditions also become more common and need to be closely monitored.

How frequently to check:

• At least once each year.

Key tests:

• Mammograms: Continue at least1 to 2 years.
• Colonoscopy: Every 10 years; sooner if polyps are present.
• Bone density: Once at 65 years for women; sooner if at high risk.
• Heart health: ECG (electrocardiograms) or stress test in cases where symptoms or certain risk factors are noted.
• Shingles vaccine: Suggested from the age of 50.
• Lung cancer screening: Recommended for current as well as past heavy smokers from 50.
• Other checks: Discuss mental health, mobility, and memory with your doctor.

Ages 65 and Over: Healthy Ageing

During the later years, care focuses on prevention, independence, and managing health issues. Regular checks can as well detect memory changes early.

How regularly to check:

• Every year or more frequently if needed.

Key tests:

• Blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol: At least once each year.
• Bone density: Women by 65; and men by 70 if there is a high risk.
• Cognitive screening: Tests for memory loss or dementia.
• Vision and hearing:At least every 1 to 2 years.
• Vaccines: Flu yearly; shingles if not yet given; and pneumonia as suggested.
• Cancer screening: Discuss with your doctor whether you should continue colonoscopies, mammograms, or prostate tests based on health and age.
• Other checks: Include nutrition, fall prevention as well as medicine reviews at each visit.

Special Considerations

At any age, some people need additional health checks that include:

• Chronic conditions: Ongoing issues such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure need regular reviews and lab tests.
• Family history: Illness in close relatives may call for earlier or more regular screening.
• Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, smoking, heavy drinking, or lack of exercise all raise health risks.

Why Regular Check-Ups Matter

Skipping a check-up may feel harmless until a hidden health problem appears. Many serious problems develop quietly with no clear signs until they reach a dangerous stage. Routine visits help you stay ahead of risks and work as a good prevention.

• Detects silent conditions

Serious illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers often begin with no symptoms. By the time problems are noticed, they may already be advanced. Regular health screenings can thus spot these conditions early, giving you a better chance at effective treatment.

• Saves money over time

Treatment for long-term illness can be expensive. While a check-up may feel like an additional cost, finding a problem early usually means simpler and cheaper care. Preventive checks are always more affordable than facing a major health crisis.

• Boosts life span and quality

Being healthy involves more than just avoiding illness; it also involves leading a fulfilling life. Frequent examinations can identify problems before they interfere with your day-to-day activities. You can live a longer and more active life if you make the correct adjustments, like improving your diet, increasing your exercise or managing your stress.

• Supports mental health

Check-ups are ideal for both the physical body and the mind. Anxiety, stress, or depression can show up as headaches, exhaustion, or even high blood pressure. Talking to your doctor during routine visits can help you get support, lifestyle advice, or treatment before these issues become more serious.

How to Prepare for a Regular Check-Up

The following are a few ways to get ready for your physical exam:

• When seeing a new GP, bring along your medical details, along with your insurance card, past records and immunisation history. If you don’t know your vaccine record, your doctor may request a blood test (antibody titer) to check your immunity.
• If returning to the same doctor, write down any updates to your medical or surgical history since your previous visit.
• Keep medications updated. Make sure your list of medicines is current, including prescriptions, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products. You may be requested to bring the drug containers.
• Note new changes. Record any new allergies, symptoms, or reactions to medication since your last check-up.

Conclusion

It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it later. For this reason, regular health checks are so important. By reviewing your risk factors, screening for cancers and other conditions and looking at your lifestyle habits, you can protect your health and lower the chance of serious or long-term disease.

At South Kensington MD, we support you at every step, regardless of your age or health. Book your next check-up today and take a key step toward a healthier future.