Britons are giving their cars more care than their own bodies, according to new research. Nearly two-thirds of people aged 35 to 54 book their vehicles in for an annual MOT, yet fewer than half have had their cholesterol tested in the past five years – despite heart disease remaining the UK’s biggest killer.
And almost half of 2,000 people surveyed admitted they have never had their cholesterol checked. TV doctor Hilary Jones said: “We wouldn’t ignore flashing warning lights on a car dashboard – yet many people ignore the warning signs on their own body. Midlife is exactly when blood pressure and cholesterol checks matter most, even if you feel fine.”
The survey, commissioned by supplement brand Healthspan, found people in the north-west were least likely to have had a cholesterol check, with nearly six in ten never tested. Londoners were most proactive, while Scots were most anxious about heart disease. People in the south-east worried most about memory slips and brain fog, while those in Yorkshire and Humber were most likely to say they feel older than their biological age.
The study also revealed the top midlife worries. For women, wrinkles and weight gain around the middle ranked higher than heart health. For men, erectile dysfunction and beer bellies came above concerns about heart disease. One in five Britons admitted loneliness worried them more than illness.
Chartered Psychologist Dr Sheena Kumar says: “Midlife can stir up a unique mix of worries – changes in appearance and hidden health risks. Just as we schedule an MOT for a car, taking time for health checks offers reassurance as well as protection.”
Registered nutritionist Rob Hobson says: “It’s fascinating to see how appearance still tops the worry list, even though heart disease is a much bigger long-term threat. The reality is you can be slim, active and still have high cholesterol – which is why knowing your numbers matters.”
Cholesterol, often called the silent killer, is essential for hormones and cell membranes, but too much ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol can build up in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Rob, who was shocked to be diagnosed with high cholesterol earlier this year despite being fit and health-conscious, added: “You can’t assume you’re fine just because you look healthy. Cholesterol isn’t only about what you cut out – it’s about what you add in. Oats, beans, nuts, olive oil and plant sterols actively help lower cholesterol.”
