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UK Poll Finds Big Gaps in Health Knowledge as Bupa Doctor Urges Five Key Checks

A poll of 2,000 UK adults reveals low uptake of proactive checks that help catch silent risks early.

Overview

  • Dr Luke Powles of Bupa Health Clinics recommends tracking five markers: blood pressure, weight, heart health/QRisk3, cholesterol, and diabetes risk/QDiabetes.
  • The OnePoll survey, commissioned by Bupa, found only 35% know a normal blood pressure for them, 7% know their heart health score, and 12% know their typical maximum heart rate.
  • Basic personal details are often unknown, with 29% unable to state their weight, 51% unable to list current prescriptions, and 59% unaware of their blood type.
  • Preventive testing remains limited, as just 50% report a proactive blood pressure check and 29% have had a cholesterol test.
  • Unprompted health checks uncovered previously unknown issues for 30% of those tested, including anaemia, diabetes, high cholesterol, and cancer, while 23% report frequent health anxiety and Gen Z often turn to online self-diagnosis (38%) more than GP visits (25%).