What are the five markers of health?

Blood pressure

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against your arteries (a type of blood vessel). Keeping it in a healthy range helps decrease your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other problems such as kidney and eye disease.

If blood pressure is too high, there are often no obvious signs, so many people don’t realise they have it. Your risk of high blood pressure goes up as you age. It’s also higher for some groups, such as those from Black and South Asian backgrounds.

You can have your blood pressure checked:

• at your GP surgery
• at some pharmacies
• at home using a blood pressure monitor

High blood pressure is considered to be 135/85 or higher if measured at home or 140/90 or higher in a clinic.

If your blood pressure is higher than it should be, lifestyle changes can often help. You can try reducing salt in your diet, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight. Your GP may also offer you medication.

Low blood pressure isn’t usually a problem, but speak to your GP if it causes symptoms like dizziness or fainting.

Weight

Being in a healthy weight range supports your heart, bones, and overall wellbeing. It can also reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers.

Weight is usually measured using body mass index (BMI). You can use our BMI calculator to find out whether you’re in a healthy range.

BMI is a useful starting point. However, it isn’t always the best measure to use for everyone. You can also use waist-to-height ratio as a guide.

If you’re overweight, lifestyle changes such as moving more and changing your eating habits can help to lose weight. You can speak to a healthcare professional if you need further advice.

If your BMI is over 30, or over 27 with a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes, your GP can help you find support. This could involve lifestyle advice, structured programmes, surgery, or medication. If you’re underweight or have recently lost weight without trying, it’s also important to seek support from your GP.

Cholesterol level

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. Your body needs some cholesterol to function well. But high levels of ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.

A blood test can measure:

• LDL (bad) cholesterol
• HDL (good) cholesterol
• total or overall cholesterol levels
• cholesterol ratios (total to HDL and non-HDL) that show the amount of unhealthy cholesterol. This includes harmful fats beyond just LDL
• triglycerides – this is another type of blood fat that can be harmful if levels are high

If you have high cholesterol, changing your diet and adopting healthy habits can help lower your levels. In some cases, your GP may also recommend medication. They can help you decide what the best choice is for you.

Diabetes risk

Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t have symptoms at first. Being aware of your diabetes risk and getting an early diagnosis can help protect your heart, eyes, nerves, and kidneys.

GPs can use a risk-assessment tool, such as QDiabetes, to estimate your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Your GP can also run a blood test to check whether your blood sugar levels are in a healthy range.

If you’re at increased risk, simple lifestyle changes can often help prevent or delay diabetes.

Overall cardiovascular risk

Rather than looking at one risk factor in isolation, GPs often assess your overall risk of cardiovascular disease. Tools like the QRISK score estimate your chance of developing heart disease or stroke over the next 10 years.

To estimate risk, it brings together factors such as age, blood pressure, and family history.

If you’re at high risk, your GP can advise you on whether lifestyle changes alone or combined with medication might be useful.

Improving just one marker can often have a positive effect on the others too. Regular checks and the right support can make a real difference in helping you stay well. If anything doesn’t feel right, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional.