DR JEFF FOSTER is the new resident physician at The Sun on Sunday and is here to help.
Dr Jeff, 43, worked as a GP at Leamington Spa in Warks, where he ran H3 Health, the first clinic in the UK to examine hormonal problems in both men and women. See h3health.co.uk.
Q) I am a 41-year-old real estate agent with an active lifestyle and healthy diet.
My father died of cancer in my 40s and I always worried regarding my health.
I don’t have any apparent health problems, but one of my friends said he had scheduled a medical check-up, so now I think I should too.
What do they check and with whom do they prepare?
Matt Reed, Banbury, Oxon
all) A medical examination can be useful in diagnosing diseases and reducing the risk of future problems.
The NHS provides a one-time offer for anyone at age 40 who does not have a serious pre-existing chronic condition.
The downside is that you are limited in funds and time.
For a more in-depth evaluation, you will have to pay personally.
Costs range from £500 to £8,000. To get the assessment that’s best for you, we recommend that you follow these principles: Make sure it is performed by a doctor, the tests performed are unique to you, and follow-up chats are performed by the same person.
Make the health screening company accountable for testing. If you need treatment, do not leave it to someone else.
For more information, visit h3health.co.uk/mens-health/mens-health-mot.
Q) I am the mother of a 43-year-old boy who has chosen not to vaccinate his teenage sons for coronavirus.
I am worried regarding myocarditis.
My husband had a very high resting heart rate and palpitations 48 hours following the covid booster, which made me afraid of my sons.
Am I making a mistake?
Kelly Kane, Walthamstow, North London
all) No wonder any parent is concerned regarding a new vaccine.
Myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle, usually following infection with a virus.
Most are mild, but severe can damage heart function.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, and palpitations.
Most vaccines can temporarily increase heart rate and cause palpitations, but this is not a sign of myocarditis.
Cases following the corona vaccine are very rare.
In the UK, only 29 doses per million vaccines are given, even in high-risk groups (ages 18-29).
The evidence is so overwhelming that children with heart disease should be vaccinated to reduce the risk of serious illness.
