How to Say "Health Checkup" in English? Let’s Review Common Test Items

In Japan, during the spring, schools and workplaces often conduct the annual health checkup. These checkups usually involve measuring your height and weight, along with a variety of other tests such as blood tests and vision tests to check for any abnormalities. But how do we explain a health checkup in English? In this article, we will explore how to express "health checkup" and the common test items in English, using example sentences.

The Word "Health Checkup" and Common Expressions

A simple way to express "health checkup" is to use the word "medical" or "health." The answer to this would be a "medical checkup."

"Medical" means "related to medicine" or "medical," while "health" means "health-related." You can easily replace "medical" with "health."

Are There Other Ways to Say "Medical Checkup"?

In addition to the "medical checkup" mentioned above, there are a few other ways to say "health checkup" in English:

Medical check
Medical examination
Medical exam
Medical test

Let's go through these terms in example sentences:

Medical checkup / Health checkup
Regular medical checkups are essential for detecting diseases early.
Medical check / Health check
The school requires students to complete a medical check before participating in sports activities.
Medical examination / Health examination
The company requires a medical examination as part of the hiring process.
Medical exam / Health exam
She was nervous about her upcoming medical exam but knew it was important.
Medical test / Health test
The medical test results showed that everything was normal.

Is There a Difference in Nuance?

Although all of the above expressions can be used to mean "health checkup," they do have slightly different nuances:

Medical check / Health check
These are general and casual expressions.
Medical checkup / Health checkup
These refer to a routine or regular checkup.
Medical examination / Medical exam / Health examination / Health exam
These are formal and typically used when a professional diagnosis is required, such as in a healthcare setting.
Medical test / Health test
These are used when referring to specific tests.

Given these nuances, for health checkups in schools or workplaces, "medical/health check" or "medical/health checkup" would be the most appropriate terms.

Common Test Items in Health Checkups

In Japan, health checkups are typically performed once a year at schools and workplaces. In many countries, there is no mandatory health checkup system, so individuals generally visit their personal doctor for tests. Since medical systems vary between countries, specialized care is often sought when an illness occurs.

Let's now review the English expressions for common test items that are typically performed in Japan during a health checkup.

Height and Weight Measurements

These are standard tests performed first in both schools and workplaces, so they are common expressions to use.

Height measurement
Your height will be measured to check for any growth-related issues.
Weight measurement
Weight measurement is part of the routine checkup.

Basic Measurements (Vital Signs)

These are fundamental functions of the body that are checked regularly by healthcare professionals. The four main vital signs measured are:

Body temperature
Pulse rate
Respiratory rate (breathing rate)
Blood pressure (Note: Blood pressure is not considered a "vital sign" on its own, but it is often measured along with other vital signs.)
Blood pressure test
We will check your blood pressure to assess your heart health.
Body temperature measurement
A body temperature measurement is done to rule out fever.
Pulse measurement
Pulse measurement is a simple way to estimate your heart rate.
The doctor checked my heart rate during the examination.

Vision and Hearing Tests

Vision and hearing tests are commonly performed during health checkups as well.

Vision test
Your vision test will check for nearsightedness or farsightedness.
Color vision test
This test is done to identify any color vision deficiencies.
Hearing test
A hearing test evaluates your ability to hear different frequencies.

Other Common Tests in Health Checkups

In addition to the tests mentioned above, other tests that are often conducted include:

Blood tests
The results of the blood test came back normal, which was a relief.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis can detect urinary tract infections or kidney issues.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
An ECG records your heart’s electrical activity.

Common Questions on Medical Questionnaires

Medical questionnaires are commonly used to collect information about your health history. In English, they are often referred to as a patient questionnaire or medical history form, although the terminology may vary slightly depending on the clinic.

Health assessment form
Pre-appointment form
Symptom checklist

The questions on these forms are generally similar to those asked in Japan. They typically cover basic information like your name, date of birth, current symptoms, medical history, use of medications, and lifestyle habits. For women, questions about menstruation and pregnancy may also be included.

Examples:

What symptoms are you experiencing?
When did your symptoms begin?
Do you have any history of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or hypertension?
Have you ever been hospitalized? If so, when and why?
What medications are you currently taking, including supplements?
Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes per day?
How often do you drink alcohol, and how much?
Are your periods regular, and when was your last period?

Specialized Tests in Case of Abnormalities in a Health Checkup

If abnormalities are found during a routine health checkup, further specialized tests may be conducted at a large hospital. Some of the tests performed at that stage are as follows. Many of these terms are commonly used in both Japanese and English.

Specialized Tests

Endoscopy
An endoscopy is used to examine your digestive tract.
CT scan
A CT scan provides detailed images of your internal organs.

Note: A CT scan uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body. It usually takes about 10 minutes.
Smear (Pap smear)
A Pap smear is important for detecting cervical cancer.
Mammogram
Mammograms help detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Prostate exam
Prostate exams are recommended for men over 50.

Summary

In this article, we have provided a detailed explanation of health checkups and the English expressions related to them. Although medical-related English may seem a bit difficult, many of the terms are actually quite familiar. When undergoing a health checkup, be sure to remember these expressions and try using them!

If you want to practice speaking with the expressions you’ve learned, I recommend RareLingo. By practicing the English you’ve just learned, you’ll reinforce your understanding. Not only that, but your tutor might also teach you expressions you didn’t know.

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