Brits advised to attend NHS health screenings

Medical and life cover experts are encouraging people to attend health screening programmes to identify risk of vascular diseases such as stroke and diabetes.

According to Health Insurance and Protection magazine, underwriters say that people shouldn't be put off health checks in order to protect their premium quote.

Mike Taylor, chief underwriter for AXA Protection, said: "These days we cover people for pretty much everything. When you get into the later 50s to 70s people tend to want life cover only anyway.

"We offer to people who have had heart attacks, strokes and diabetes. They get a small loading but if they are managing it well, we will offer them lower terms."

By 2012, the NHS aims to roll out health checks for 40 to 74-year-olds across primary care trusts, inviting some three million patients for screening each year.

Vascular disease affects the lives of more than four million people in England. It is responsible for a fifth of all hospital admissions, according to the Department of Health.

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