Introducing health checks for people aged 30 would help improve life expectancy and save public money, according to two councillors.

Free cardiovascular tests are currently offered to those aged between 40 and 74 with no history of serious health conditions as part of a nationwide NHS programme.

The scheme has been in place since 2009 to identify people with previously undiagnosed high-risk health problems, and help in “reducing early death”.

Only 40% of health check offers in Kent and Medway were taken up in 2017/18, with cabinet member Cllr Howard Doe (Con) suggesting earlier intervention could improve the figure.

Speaking on Friday (December 14), he said: “The earlier you get to these things, the better.

“I know it’s not the intention to extend it in either direction, but I don’t know if there’s any way we can lead into it so people feel that it’s a natural thing to have those tests.

“Then it becomes something you do, like washing in the morning. It’s good for people’s health and for NHS finances – it would save a lot of money down the stream.”

Cllr Martin Potter (Con) claimed a “focused test” at 30 would encourage people to leave “unhealthy lifestyles and years of eating at convenience stores”.

Kent County Council’s director of public health Andrew Scott-Clark told the joint health and wellbeing board the current restrictions are nationally mandated, but are regularly reviewed.

He added: “Healthy life expectancy is roughly 52 – by the time people are 52 they are already multi-morbid, some of that which may well be cardiovascular disease.

“Therefore starting health checks at 40 gives you essentially two opportunities to intervene. My personal view is we should probably move that forward for some of our population.

“But the challenge for us is the affordability, and how we will manage that within the national programme.”

Cllr Doe also made the case for having health checks beyond the age of 74, but Mr Scott-Clark said this was not necessary as most are supported – “or should be” – by their GP.