A men's health MOT: which checks matter, what the NHS offers and what it does not

There is no single official health MOT. The phrase is used by employers, pharmacies, charities and private providers to describe a bundle of simple checks such as weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, sometimes with extras. On the NHS, the closest equivalent is the NHS Health Check, together with GP assessment of any symptoms.

It is worth being clear about what a check can and cannot do. A check can show your risk of heart and circulation problems and prompt changes in lifestyle. It is not a substitute for seeing a GP about symptoms, and it is not a full body scan for cancer.

The NHS says the NHS Health Check is for people aged 40 to 74 who do not have pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, previous stroke or TIA, or who are not already on statins. You should be invited by your GP or local council every 5 years, and if you think you are eligible and have not been invited you can contact your GP practice.

It usually takes 20 to 30 minutes and is done by a pharmacist, nurse or healthcare assistant. It includes measuring height, weight and waist, a blood pressure test, a cholesterol test and possibly a blood sugar test, along with questions about family history, smoking, alcohol and physical activity. You are given a cardiovascular risk score showing your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes or kidney disease over the next 10 years, and a chance to discuss how to improve it. If you are over 65 you are also told about symptoms of dementia to look out for.

The NHS says high blood pressure is very common, especially in older adults, and usually has no symptoms. Things that increase the chance include age, close relatives with high blood pressure, Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background, an unhealthy diet high in salt, being overweight, smoking, drinking too much alcohol and long-term stress.

It advises getting your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy or GP surgery if you think you might be at risk or are 40 or over and have not had it checked for more than 5 years. You are usually considered to have high blood pressure if your reading is 140/90 or higher when checked by a healthcare professional, or 135/85 or higher when checked at home.

The NHS lists the symptoms of testicular cancer as a lump or swelling in a testicle, a testicle getting bigger, an ache or pain in a testicle or the scrotum, and a scrotum that feels heavy, firm or hard. Other symptoms can include an ache in the back or lower tummy, losing weight without trying, a cough, difficulty breathing or swallowing and a sore or swollen chest.

It says to check your testicles regularly so you know what is normal for you, and to see a GP about a lump or swelling, enlargement, heaviness or hardness, aching or any change that is not normal for you. These symptoms are very common and can be caused by many different conditions, but it is important to get them checked because if they are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it is easier to treat.

A PSA test is a blood test that checks the level of prostate specific antigen. The NHS says a high level may be a sign of a prostate condition, and testing may be recommended if you have symptoms such as peeing more than usual, a sudden urge to pee, getting up often at night to pee, blood in your pee or problems getting or keeping an erection.

The NHS is clear about the limits: there is a risk a PSA test result may not be accurate, and you may be offered tests and treatment you do not need. Routine PSA testing is not currently offered on the NHS unless genetic tests have shown a faulty BRCA2 gene, but men can ask a GP about testing and the GP will discuss the benefits and risks. A high PSA does not mean you have cancer; it may be because of an enlarged prostate.

At the end of an NHS Health Check you can discuss how to improve your scores, including improving diet, increasing exercise, losing weight, stopping smoking, reducing salt and alcohol and lowering cholesterol. You may be referred to local services such as stop smoking and physical activity services.

The NHS notes that many of the warning signs for conditions such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, do not have symptoms, which is the main reason checks are useful.

Symptoms need a GP appointment, not a routine check. The NHS says chest pain that feels tight or like squeezing, pain spreading to the arms, neck or jaw, or difficulty breathing needs a 999 call. Blood in urine, a testicular lump, persistent changes in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss or persistent low mood are all reasons to see a GP promptly.

A check can be a useful prompt, but it should not delay seeing a GP about symptoms.

The NHS Health Check is free to those who are eligible. The NHS says many pharmacies offer free blood pressure checks for people aged 40 or over, though some pharmacies may charge for a check. Private clinics and employers offer packages of tests, which may include additional blood tests or scans.

Extra tests are not always beneficial: the NHS notes with PSA that tests can lead to treatment you do not need. It is sensible to ask a private provider what each test is for, what the results will mean and what follow-up is included.