Health screening for heart problems- worth it?

I don't know but I'm interested in the responses because MrH is in a similar situation

MEant to add that I know they can do blood tests for cholesterol etc which are linked I think?

My BIL (40) had a risk assesment as his Grandfather had a heart attack at 48 & died, his Dad had one at 49 (alive)

He went to the London Chest Hospital & had a tube passed up through his groin - his arteries were narrow, so he had them widened .

I'd recommend your husband have a chat with his GP. We have a family history of heart disease: my parents had by-passes at 59 and 60. I have high blood pressure (picked up during pregnancy but continued afterwards) and high cholesterol (it appears I have inherited a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, which means my body makes too much.) All in all it's not looking good for my heart! I now take BP medication and a statin to lower my cholesterol. If I were my H it would never have been picked up as I only found out these things by being pregnant. Ordinarily the GP would have no reason to screen me for these things.

Your H's GP could take his BP, run blood tests, and organise an ECG all on the NHS if he/she considered the family history to be a risk. I'm not sure the private health check is worth it (but appreciate your H wouldn't be paying out of his own pocket)-what else do they do?

Just had a look at what is included in the Bupa coronary health assessment. The only thing I haven't had done on the NHS is a CT heart scan. I'm not sure whether I'd want one or not. I know I have risk factors that make heart disease more likely but I'm not sure I definitely want to know I do have coronary heart disease. I might just be a wuss though! I will ask my GP next time I see her whether the scan might show anything which would mean I would be treated differently to how I am now. I suspect (but don't know for sure) not.

I guess for your H, the health assessment would be worth doing if it is more convenient for him time-wise than seeing his own GP. I can't fault the care I've had from my GP on the NHS. I am currently seeing a consultant on the NHS too.

I think your H should speak to his GP and mention all this. MrSun has been diagnosed with a heart condition, his dad and brother were both checked when the consultant realised MrSun's problem. MissSun has also been screened. She's fine at the moment but will need to be checked when she's older too. I don't think it's something that should have to be paid for.

I sometimes think MrSun is in a better position, they know he has a problem and check him yearly, you hear so many stories about people having heartattacks etc. at a young age because they probably don't realise they have anything wrong with them. On the other hand we are stung big time on insurances and it's a nightmare trying to sort his driving license.

Thanks everyone- that's really helpful. I think H would actually be more inclined to go if possible on the NHS, costs aside- he's even more suspicious of the private ones than I am (not that there's anything wrong with them, just that they seem to promote to everyone and it must be a big money-spinner).

First step for me will be trying to get him to register with an NHS GP. Ho hum.