Dads are staggeringly bad at going to the doctor. I include myself in that — I once ignored a persistent cough for nearly three months on the basis that I was “probably fine” and “didn’t want to bother the GP.” It was, unremarkably, a chest infection that was much easier to treat in week one than week twelve.
There’s a list of health checks that every bloke over 35 should be on top of. Most of them are free on the NHS, take 20 minutes, and could genuinely save your life. Here’s what they are and when to book.
Age-specific checks
Mental health — the one men skip
Symptoms to never ignore
Private vs NHS health checks
FAQ
Routine health checks every dad should book annually
NHS Health Check (age 40–74)
Free every 5 years. Your GP invites you but many surgeries have a backlog — if you haven’t had one and you’re eligible, just ring and ask. Covers blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, BMI, and a chat about lifestyle risk factors. Takes 20 minutes. It’s the single most useful piece of free preventative health care you can access.
Blood pressure
Silent killer. Almost no symptoms until something goes very wrong. Check it annually at minimum — pharmacies do it free, your GP will do it any time you go in, or buy a home monitor (Omron, Boots) for £25. Normal is under 130/80. 140/90 is considered high.
Blood tests — cholesterol and glucose
Part of the NHS Health Check. If you’re under 40 or between checks and have family history of heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, ask for one. Private blood tests (Thriva, Medichecks, Superdrug’s finger-prick service) are £40–£80 and give results in days.
Dental check-up
Every 6–12 months. Gum disease is linked with heart disease — not just a teeth problem. NHS dentist shortages are real; if you can’t find one, budget for private. Skipping dental checks for 5 years to save money almost always ends in more expensive treatment.
Eye test
Every 2 years. Not just about glasses — it’s one of the few ways to spot early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. Free for many NHS-eligible people including those over 60.
Age-specific checks to know about
Ages 30–40
- Testicular self-checks monthly (takes 30 seconds, in the shower)
- Blood pressure annually
- Skin check — if you have moles that have changed, see your GP immediately
Ages 40–50
- NHS Health Check (every 5 years)
- Prostate conversation — discuss with GP if family history
- Bowel cancer screening invitation starts at 54 (England) — always do the home test. Early-stage bowel cancer has a 90%+ survival rate.
- Diabetes risk assessment via Diabetes UK’s online “Know Your Risk”
Ages 50+
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test — discuss with GP annually or every 2 years
- AAA screening (abdominal aortic aneurysm) — offered on the NHS at age 65
- Bowel cancer screening (home test) every 2 years
- Flu jab annually (free NHS if over 65 or in at-risk group)
- Shingles vaccine (offered free on NHS at 65 and 70–79)
Mental health — the check dads overwhelmingly skip
Suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. Dads are disproportionately at risk — sleep-deprived, financially stretched, socially isolated, often suppressing stress “because that’s what men do.”
A mental health check is simpler than you think. It can be:
- An honest conversation with your GP. They’ve heard everything. Book a phone appointment if you don’t want to sit in a waiting room.
- Your employer’s EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) if you have one. Confidential, free, and separate from your manager.
- NHS Talking Therapies (self-referral) — google “NHS Talking Therapies [your area].” No GP referral needed; appointments typically within 2–4 weeks.
- A mate who’ll listen. Not a substitute for clinical support, but the first step back from isolation.
See my dad mental health guide for more practical steps.
Symptoms you should never ignore
These are the ones blokes commonly dismiss and regret:
- Blood anywhere it shouldn’t be — in urine, stool, when coughing. Always warrants a GP visit.
- Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, especially with shortness of breath. 999, not “I’ll see how it is tomorrow.”
- A lump, mole, or skin change that’s new or growing. Skin cancer is entirely treatable when caught early.
- Persistent cough or hoarseness for 3+ weeks. Red flag for lung or throat issues.
- Unexplained weight loss — 5%+ of body weight without dieting.
- Change in bowel habits lasting 3+ weeks — consistency, frequency, urgency.
- Erectile dysfunction out of nowhere — often a cardiovascular early warning, not just a performance issue.
- Fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix, especially with other symptoms.
None of these will definitely be something serious. Almost all of them would benefit from a GP appointment to rule things out.
Private health checks — are they worth it?
Options:
- Bluecrest, Nuffield, Bupa — comprehensive health MOTs, £300–£800 depending on package. Extensive blood work, imaging, GP consultation.
- Thriva, Medichecks — mail-in finger-prick blood tests, £40–£150. Get a GP-ready report and pick up vitamin deficiencies or thyroid issues.
- Private GP consultations — £80–£150 per appointment. Useful when NHS waits are long and you need something investigated urgently.
For most dads the NHS Health Check covers 80% of what a private health MOT does. Private makes sense if you want something specific investigated, have a family history that warrants more frequent checks, or just can’t get NHS appointments.
FAQ
Even when well, at minimum: NHS Health Check every 5 years (age 40–74), annual blood pressure check (a pharmacy visit suffices), and any new or persistent symptom within 2–3 weeks. Don’t wait until you feel “properly ill.”
Yes. It catches high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and early diabetes — three of the biggest preventable causes of heart attack and stroke. A 20-minute appointment every 5 years is a huge return on time investment.
From around 50, discuss PSA testing with your GP. Earlier if you have family history (father, brother with prostate cancer) or are of African/Caribbean heritage — both raise risk. The UK doesn’t offer routine national screening, so you have to request it.
If you have family history of heart disease, cancer or diabetes, and the NHS doesn’t offer frequent enough screening, yes. Otherwise the NHS Health Check covers most people adequately. For targeted concerns (thyroid, vitamin deficiencies, hormones), a £50 Thriva or Medichecks test is often all you need.
Research consistently shows men delay seeking help more than women — reasons include not wanting to “waste the doctor’s time,” social conditioning around toughness, fear of what they’ll find, and work/family time pressures. Recognising the pattern is the first step. “I’ll book it Monday morning” beats “I’ll wait and see.”
The bottom line
Book the NHS Health Check if you’re over 40. Check blood pressure annually. Know the symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. And don’t be the dad who waits until it’s advanced. Your kids need you around for the long haul — 20 minutes at the GP every few years is the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy.
