About our health tests
Depending on which health assessment you book, you’ll have a range of health checks and tests
What health tests and checks do we do?
Our health assessments include a range of measurements, tests and checks to gauge your health and fitness. The ones you'll have will depend on which assessment you book. Compare our health assessments.
Physical checks, tests and measurements
The following gives you more detail about any tests you may have as part of your health assessment. Our comparison page tells you which ones you’ll get as part of the check-up you booked. If you’re having your health assessment at home, we’ll send you a tape measure and a blood pressure monitor to keep, and the mobility and flexibility review will be done by video.
Height, weight and waist measurements
We use these measurements to calculate your BMI, your waist to height ratio and your estimated energy requirements. The results help us understand if you’re underweight or overweight, both of which can lead to health risks. For example, if you have excess fat around your waist, you could be at greater risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Body fat percentage
Knowing your BMI score is useful, but it doesn't distinguish between fat and muscle. Two people might have the same
BMI, but if one has more muscle than fat then they re likely to be fitter and healthier than the one who has more fat.
Blood pressure check
We follow NICE guidelines and check the blood pressure in both of your arms to give us a fuller picture. We're checking
whether you have high blood pressure, which could increase your risk of heart problems, stroke, fatty deposits in your
arteries, kidney disease, vascular dementia and more.
Mobility and flexibility review
You'll be asked to perform a range of movements to see whether you experience pain, stiffness or any other limitations.
These could be a sign of arthritis, for example, or a soft tissue condition.
Heart rhythm screening†
Also called an atrial fibrillation screen, this uses the Alivecor Kardia device to take a 30-second snapshot of your heart
beating. You'll hold your fingers on two very sensitive sensor pads, which then gives us an idea of whether you might
have an unusual rhythm. We'll be able to tell if you might need further investigations.
Resting heart activity (ECG)‡
This is a common test for heart rhythm. While you're lying down, electrodes attached to your skin will painlessly measure
your heart's electrical signals when it beats. A machine gathers this information and produces a chart for the doctor to
interpret.
30-minute advanced fitness test by Wattbike††
We run a range of tests to explore your fitness, health and strength, including predicted VO2 max, predicted maximum
heart rate, maximal minute power, functional threshold power, functional threshold heart rate, cardiorespiratory score,
lung function, and the strength of your grip.
Blood tests
If you’re having your health assessment at home, we’ll send you a blood sampling device as part of your kit.
Diabetes HbA1c test
This blood test can check for Type 2 diabetes. Or, if you know you have diabetes, the test can help to monitor your
existing condition. Diabetes can put you at risk of kidney disease, eye disease, heart attack, stroke and nerve damage,
among other things. You don't have to fast before this test.
Comprehensive profile of cholesterol and other blood fats
This is a blood test which checks for a range of blood fats. Too much or too little of these fats can increase your risk of
clogged arteries, heart attack, stroke, cancer and mental health conditions, for example.
Haemoglobin test†
This measures how many red blood cells you have, as these carry oxygen and carbon dioxide around your body. A low
count means you have anaemia (deficiency in Folic acid, B12 or iron), and it s important to find out why. Equally, your count
might be higher than normal, and again you'd need to find the underlying cause.
Additional tests we may recommend as part of your health assessment
During your health assessment, you and your health adviser or doctor might agree that you need one or more additional tests. They will select these extra test/s from the list below. The cost is included within what you've paid for your health assessment.
- Full blood count to detect any deficiencies, inflammation or infection, and spot any problems with clotting or bleeding
- Kidney function test to check for infection, damage or disease
- Liver function test to check for infection, damage or disease
- Resting heart activity (ECG)† where electrodes painlessly measure your heart’s electrical signals
- Vitamin B12 and folate test to check for a deficiency that causes anaemia
- Vitamin D test to see if your bones or other aspects of your health may be at risk
- Spirometry screening to check for scarring in your lungs, asthma or COPD (only available if you’re a smoker)
- Coeliac screening to test for any auto-immune response to eating gluten
- Ferritin test to check for a type of anaemia caused by iron deficiency
- Thyroid function test (TSH) to find out if your thyroid gland might be overactive or underactive
- Cervical cancer and HPV screening (for women aged 25+ only)
- Bowel cancer test (for men and women aged 45+ only)
- PSA test to check for the possibility of prostate cancer (for those with a prostate aged 50+ or as an optional paid extra if you re under 50)
Find out which health assessment is right for you
We now offer the choice of five health assessments, which vary according to your needs, your goals, and where you want to have your health check. You can either come to one of around 50 Bupa health centres across the UK, or do your health check from home.
Book online
Book whenever’s convenient for you.
Call us
0370 218 8330^
^Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm. We are closed on Sundays. We may record or monitor our calls.
Email us
If it’s easier for you, just drop us a line‡‡
† This test is not included when you book Be.Motivated. It is included as standard with Be.Reassured and Be.Ahead.
‡ This test is not included with Be.Motivated. If you book Be.Reassured, we’ll only do this test if it’s considered clinically appropriate for you. If you book Be.Ahead, you’ll have this test as standard.
†† Included in Be.Ahead only. You may not be able to go ahead with the advanced fitness test if you’re taking certain medication or have a certain medical condition. To check your eligibility, speak to our helpful advisers on the number above before you book a Be.Ahead health assessment.
‡‡ Please be aware that information you send to this email address may not be secure unless you send us your email through Egress. For more information and to sign up for a free Egress account, visit Egress.com. You will not be charged for sending secure emails to a Bupa email address using the Egress service.
Bupa Health Assessments are provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
Page last reviewed: 14/04/2023
