A LEADING Bolton doctor has dispelled the “urban myths” that, he says, are stopping people from having The BIG Bolton Health Check.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, who is spearheading the campaign, is urging the hard-to-reach groups, such as smokers, the overweight, those who do not exercise and those who think they are healthy, to have their 10-minute assessment as soon as possible.

He said: “There are four urban myths that are preventing people from having The BIG Bolton Health Check and we want to smash those and get those people who haven’t yet had it done, to get it done as soon as possible.”

The myths are: l Smokers, people who are overweight or obese, or those who do no exercise will be criticised if they have the check — Dr Liversedge said: “No-one will be criticised about their lifestyle. Doctors will simply help people reduce their risk.”

l People who are healthy do not need the test as they are not at risk — Dr Liversedge said: “Unfortunately, even if you are extremely healthy, there can still be hereditary factors that could put you at risk.”

l Those who at high risk are beyond help — Dr Liversedge said: “There is always something that can be done, this could be medication or some simple lifestyle changes.”

l People who are overweight and smokers will be turned away from the health check because they could be turned away from surgery — Dr Liversedge said: “People can be turned away from orthopaedic surgery because they are deemed to be at too great a risk, but we’re particularly interested in these people because they could be at the most high risk, and something can be done to reduce that.”

Dr Liversedge is also appealing to the borough’s workers aged over 45 and eligible to have The BIG Bolton Health Check, to contact their GP to have the tests done.

Many surgeries are now opening outside office hours in a bid to see as many people as possible.

It is hoped 46,000 people over the age of 45 will be tested before the end of March, 2009.

The BIG Bolton Health Check takes just 10 minutes and includes a blood pressure check, a cholesterol test and a few simple lifestyle questions.

Since June, more than 13,000 people have had the health assessment. Around 25 per cent have been found to be at high-risk and have begun treatment to reduce their chances of developing heart disease.

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