If you ever wondered whether Britain’s relationship with personal health is a bit like owning a car but never checking the fuel gauge, here’s your answer. A new survey of 2,000 UK adults suggests millions are drifting around with only the haziest grasp of the numbers that quietly decide how well the engine runs.

Researchers found the nation is bafflingly unaware of vital bodily stats — from cholesterol (63%) and blood sugar (59%) to resting heart rate (50%) and even their own blood type (49%). In other words, plenty of people could tell you their coffee order to the nearest oat-milk detail, but not whether their cholesterol is having a party without permission.

And it doesn’t stop with the headline-grabbing blood type stat.

The figures that Britons can’t put a number on

The study found:

• 63% didn’t know their cholesterol levels
• 59% were clueless about their blood sugar readings
• 50% had no idea what their resting heart rate is
• 48% were in the dark about their BMI or waist-to-hip ratio

Even the paper trail is missing for many. Just 29% could record their vaccination history, and only 25% knew when they last had a full health check-up or blood test. More worryingly, only one in five could name genetic risks or inherited conditions — and a similar number didn’t know their accurate height or weight.

Routine screenings? Often a blank. From smear tests to mammograms, and even eye test results, many people simply couldn’t recall the outcomes — leaving millions potentially flying blind when it comes to their own wellbeing. The research was commissioned by health-tech platform MiCode, which is betting that a more organised approach to personal health starts with making the basics easier to store and share.

Two specifics that stood out for how often they were forgotten:

• The results and schedule for routine screenings i.e. smear, mammogram etc – 16%
• Your most recent eye test results and prescription details – 16%

“Knowledge is power” — and ignorance has consequences

So it’s no surprise that 66% worry they don’t know enough about their own and their families’, health. Dr Dawn Harper, host of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, says this isn’t just a quirky national habit — it has real consequences for prevention, early action, and medical emergencies.

“The survey highlights a worrying gap in how little many people know about their own health history and that of their families.

“It’s surprising how often even basic details, such as hereditary conditions or long-term family health patterns, go unnoticed or unrecorded.

“Some may take the view that if something is ‘in your genes,’ there’s little you can do about it, but I firmly believe that knowledge is power.

“Understanding your genetic predispositions gives you the chance to take control, to make informed decisions, adopt preventative habits, and in many cases, reduce your overall risk through simple lifestyle changes.

“Equally, there are practical aspects of personal health information that everyone should be aware of, such as the name of their GP, their emergency contact, current medications, and any allergies.

“These may sound like small details, but in a medical emergency, they can be absolutely vital. Empowering people to take ownership of this knowledge isn’t just about improving individual outcomes; it’s about fostering a more health-literate, proactive society where people feel confident and prepared when it comes to their wellbeing.”

MiCode’s pitch is straightforward: record crucial information securely so that, if the worst happens, you and your family aren’t scrambling for details at the exact moment you can least afford confusion. It’s not glamorous — but neither is trying to remember your medication list while someone in a uniform asks you questions at speed.

The 10 things you need to know about your and your loved ones’ health history

Dr Harper’s checklist reads like the greatest hits of modern risk — the issues that often run in families, hide without symptoms, and punish procrastination.

Here’s the plain-spoken version to guide your health “must-knows”:

1. High blood pressure — often symptomless; check regularly (earlier if it runs in the family).
2. High cholesterol — much of it is made in the body; know if familial hypercholesterolaemia is in play.
3. Heart disease — family history, especially early heart attacks, should raise your vigilance.
4. Diabetes — common, underdiagnosed, and high-impact; family history should trigger testing.
5. Osteoporosis — strong genetic link; can be silent until fractures; ask about eligibility for a DEXA scan.
6. Cancer risks (multiple types) — patterns in the family can justify specialist referral and, sometimes, gene testing.
7. Alzheimer’s — genetics matter, but lifestyle can shift risk; what’s good for the heart is good for the brain.
8. Asthma and allergies — crucial to share within families for emergencies.
9. Mental health issues — family patterns are real; prioritise habits that protect mood and resilience.
10. Auto-immune diseases — genetics can set the table; early symptoms should prompt testing via your GP.

The unglamorous win: get your “health basics” in order

If you do nothing else this week, treat it like admin with a payoff. Write down (and keep handy) the essentials: GP details, medications, allergies, emergency contacts, key family history, and dates/results of screenings and eye tests.

It’s not dramatic. It’s not trendy. But it’s how personal health becomes something you actually manage — rather than something you only think about when you’re forced to.