A health check-up refers to various examinations for the early detection of illnesses. In Germany, statutory health insurance companies cover the costs of the check-up every three years for all insured persons aged 35 and over. The examination is also known as Check-up 35. Read more about the procedure and the aims of the check-up here and find doctors who carry out the check-up.
The health check-up is used for the early detection of common diseases that
These include
These diseases increase from the age of around 35. This is why health insurance companies cover the costs of a basic check-up for all people aged 35 and over every three years.
The health check-up is carried out by family doctors (general practitioners, general practitioners and internists).
The health check-up consists of various partial examinations:
After the examinations have been evaluated, a final consultation takes place. The doctor informs the patient of the findings. If necessary, he or she will also make recommendations for further examinations.
The check-up examination aims to identify illnesses that often do not show any physical symptoms in the initial phase. For this reason, people who feel fit and physically healthy should also have a health check-up.
Regular check-ups are the only way to detect changes in the body at an early stage and avert health risks. In this way, suspected cases can be diagnosed in more detail in further examinations and any illnesses detected can be treated in good time. This increases the chances of recovery.
In addition, a check-up can identify and change behaviors that are harmful to health.
There are known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. These are clarified during the health check-up so that the patient can avoid them.
It is also recommended that the check-up is carried out together with an examination for the early detection of cancer. For example, the check-up can also serve to prevent cancer of the skin. However, other diseases that do not yet show any symptoms can also be detected with the help of a check-up examination.
The health check-up can also determine the general state of fitness and health. Physical weaknesses are detected at an early stage. They can then be successfully corrected at a younger age before they lead to serious illnesses in old age.
The check-up examination procedure as part of the statutory early detection and preventive examinations is clearly regulated. The first step is a detailed discussion in which
and a risk profile is created.
This is followed by a thorough physical examination during the health check-up. The physical check-up examination includes
In addition, blood and urine samples are taken in order to determine the values for
in the urine.
As the evaluation of the findings can take several days, a final consultation takes place during a second appointment with the doctor. The patient is informed of the results of the check-up examination. The doctor will discuss the possible consequences with regard to the patient's future lifestyle.
In particular, the patient's risk profile and any behavior that may be detrimental to health should be discussed.
The check-up examination may reveal a suspected illness. In this case, the doctor will arrange for further targeted diagnostics and, if necessary, initiate treatment.
Before starting the physical examination, the doctor will take a medical history.
He will inquire about the patient's previous or current illnesses. He will also ask about previous health problems and operations. Diseases that have occurred in close relatives are also a topic of discussion. Such illnesses include
Any medication taken will also be asked about.
Individual lifestyle habits and living conditions are also an important part of the medical history. This includes, for example
By asking specific questions, the doctor tries to identify whether certain personal or hereditary risk factors are present.
After taking a medical history, the doctor will carry out a thorough physical examination during the health check-up. This includes
Weight and height are also determined so that the body mass index can be calculated.
The body mass index (BMI) is a measure for assessing body weight. The BMI is calculated from weight in relation to height. The formula is
BMI = (body weight in kg) divided by (height in m)2.
The BMI is a rather superficial value, but is useful for assessing whether you are underweight or overweight.
During the health check-up, the doctor listens to the chest cavity (heart and lungs) with a stethoscope. This examination is known as auscultation.
The doctor listens for unusual breathing noises (rales and rasping noises) and heart sounds.
This allows, for example
recognize.
The doctor determines the pulse rate (number of heartbeats per minute). He pays attention to both the quality (e.g. soft, weak) and the regularity of the pulse rate.
This allows conclusions to be drawn about heart and vascular diseases, such as
Blood pressure is also measured, which is considered too high from a value of 140/90 mmHg. Even at this incipient level of high blood pressure, the risk of
increased.
A blood pressure measurement is part of the check-up © Robert Kneschke | AdobeStock
An ECG (electrocardiogram) is used if the doctor detects irregularities in the heart rhythm or other abnormalities. This can also include shortness of breath or chest pain.
The ECG records the electrical activity of the heart muscle. Electrodes are attached to the skin for this purpose. Heart rate and heart rhythm can be determined from the ECG and the electrical activity of the atria and ventricles can be read.
For example, the ECG can provide indications of
but also for electrolyte disorders and adverse drug reactions.
When inspecting the skin, the doctor will look for any noticeable skin changes, such as
If the doctor detects abnormal skin changes, a referral is made to a dermatologist for more detailed clarification.
In addition to the physical examinations, a number of laboratory tests are also carried out during the health check-up.
By determining certain values in the blood and urine, metabolic disorders (e.g. diabetes) or kidney diseases can be detected. The doctor can also assess the risk of developing such diseases.
As part of the blood test, a blood sample is taken from the patient and sent to a laboratory. This determines the glucose levels (blood sugar level) and the total cholesterol level.
In order to obtain exact values that are comparable with the standard tables, the blood sample must be taken in the morning and on an empty stomach. The patient must therefore not have eaten anything before the blood sample is taken.
The result is usually available to the doctor after a few days. The blood glucose value determined should be between 60 and 100 mg/dl in the capillary whole blood.
If it is higher, this may indicate diabetes mellitus. The doctor will then initiate more targeted diabetes diagnostics. However, a value that is too low can also be an indication of a disorder.
The total cholesterol level determined during the check-up should be between 200 and 220 mg/dl.
Higher values can be an indication of an incorrect diet or a lipometabolic disorder. Too high a total cholesterol value represents an increased risk of hardening of the arteries(arteriosclerosis). In turn, arteriosclerosis can cause serious cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Timely treatment of high blood lipid levels is therefore important.
Blood values provide indications of possible diseases © Henrik Dolle | AdobeStock
In addition to the total cholesterol, the doctor can also have the LDL value ("bad" cholesterol) and the HDL value ("good" cholesterol) determined. The LDL should be below 160 mg/dl and the HDL above 40 mg/dl.
However, the LDL-HDL ratio is also important: it should be less than three in a healthy person and even lower in patients at risk.
As part of the check-up examination, the patient provides a urine sample, which is also sent to a laboratory.
The laboratory then determines the values for
in the urine. The values give the doctor an indication of whether
is present.
The check-up examination regulated as part of the statutory early detection and preventive examinations is good, but limited. In addition, an extended health check-up may be useful.
This is the case, for example, for people who want to start exercising again after a long break. Additional examinations can also be carried out during the regular check-up to create an extended individual risk profile. These include, for example
A sports medical aptitude test is recommended for all sportspeople over the age of 35 and for those returning to sport. The sports health check-up often consists of the following examinations:
However, statutory health insurance companies do not cover the costs of an extended check-up. Doctors offer these check-up examinations as part of so-called individual health services(IGeL).
The final consultation will take place a few days after the physical examination and blood and urine samples have been taken.
The patient will be informed of the results of the check-up examination. If necessary, the doctor will discuss the possible consequences with regard to the patient's future lifestyle. In particular
be discussed. If necessary, the doctor will give tips on lifestyle changes, for example with regard to diet or exercise. Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in particular can often be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. This includes, for example
Another task of the final check-up consultation is to make the patient aware of the importance of cancer screening examinations.
If all findings are normal, the next check-up should take place again in three years.
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