These private scan things offered in Hotels etc...

Andy From Sligo

Got one of these letters through through the door today from Bluecrest Health Screening - private screening for heart lungs, blood, general being - sounds like a total NCT for your body. Special price of 149euro (saving of 171euro)

just wondering if anyone on Boards has ever availed or gone for of one of these Health screening things and what you thought about it? - what was your experience of it?

Arbie

Andy From Sligo wrote: »

Got one of these letters through through the door today from Bluecrest Health Screening - private screening for heart lungs, blood, general being - sounds like a total NCT for your body. Special price of 149euro (saving of 171euro)

just wondering if anyone on Boards has ever availed or gone for of one of these Health screening things and what you thought about it? - what was your experience of it?

I can't comment on this particular company, but the biggest issue with these services is that they are targeting the "worried well", i.e. people who are generally healthy but would like a check up for peace of mind.

The evidence is that there is little to no benefit in getting a check up if you have no symptoms. In fact it may do more harm than good as we all have slightly abnormal blood tests, blood pressure, etc. on a daily basis which is just natural variation. If you get it tested without having symptoms then you may end up having more invasive and more expensive tests only to find out that the results were just a blip.

GPs are highly trained so that they can order the appropriate tests for the appropriate patients at the appropriate times. If we didn't have GPs directing care then our health costs would be way higher and waiting lists for blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, etc. would be many years long.

The best approach, in my opinion, is to attend a GP practice where the nurse/GP can do the useful tests and give meaningful interpretation and appropriate follow up care.

Andy From Sligo

some things in the letter I noted:

Nothing about fasting or anything for the blood test(s) they give you, but if you go to GP sometimes they say you have to fast for certain blood tests - and what about if you have a coffee or piece of chocolate before test? - there is nothing in the letter about fasting or anything, so that could affect blood test readings.

They said you will be fully clothed throughout the test(s)/Scan - but I wonder how they attach the electrodes for the ECG - if you go have ECG test at hospital you have to have them fitted to your chest (with your chest hairs shaved first), you cannot be fully clothed for that.

The PAD test seems interesting. They measure your BP attached to your arm and then they attach it to your lower leg and check the BP there - if there is a difference in BP then that could detect that you could have blocked arteries - thats good I suppose and I have never been offered that when I have ever gone to GP(s) before.

The Body scan , well it checks BMI , body fat and muscle fat .. my wife got a pair of hi-tech scales the other week from ALDI for a fiver which can check all that.

They can do a check to see if you have ever had a heart attack (without you knowing it) in the past

byhookorbycrook

I'd prefer to do these kind of check ups in a hospital setting.

Amalgam

'Your next appointment'

These flyers are in South Dublin too. I find the wording a bit deceptive, it may confuse some people..