Hundreds of runners and visitors stopped for a quick health check-up during the 41st SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival at the FirstMed tent, on the weekend of 10-11 October. People passing through had their blood sugar and blood pressure checked, while colleagues from FirstMed’s Budapest, Rome and Milan clinics were out on the course running and walking different distances.
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At first glance, a marathon might seem an unusual place to think about high blood pressure or blood sugar. After all, many people there were active enough to run 10, 21, or even 42 kilometers. But being physically active, or simply feeling healthy, doesn’t guarantee these numbers will always stay within the expected range.
That is one reason a routine blood pressure check matters, even when nothing appears to be wrong.
Why can you feel healthy and still have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, often has no noticeable symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that many people with hypertension don’t know they have it. They may exercise regularly, work, travel, and carry on with everyday life without realizing their blood pressure is elevated. That’s why measuring it is particularly useful.
A blood pressure test is simple and usually takes only a few minutes, but it can pick up a reading that may need rechecking or discussion with a doctor.
However, a single high measurement does not necessarily mean you have hypertension. Blood pressure changes throughout the day. It can be affected by various factors such as physical activity (for example, a measurement taken after running), stress, and caffeine.
If a reading is high, a healthcare professional may recommend repeating the measurement, monitoring your blood pressure at home, or using a 24-hour monitor before making a diagnosis.
The important point is: don’t wait for symptoms to get it measured.
What about blood sugar?
Blood glucose is another number that may change before you notice anything unusual.
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can develop without symptoms, which is why screening is important even if you feel well. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains the blood tests used to identify them.
A quick (random) blood sugar measurement, such as those offered during the marathon weekend, can provide a snapshot of your glucose level at that particular moment. But don’t treat it as a diagnosis.
If a result raises concern, a doctor may recommend a laboratory test. Tests used to screen for diabetes include FPG (fasting plasma glucose) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), which shows average blood glucose over a longer period.
This distinction matters: treat an unexpected reading as a reason to investigate further, not a diagnosis on its own.
Who should have their numbers checked?
Blood pressure becomes more important to monitor as we get older. At 40 or over, pay particular attention to regular checks, while those with certain risk factors may need to start earlier or have their blood pressure measured more frequently. The main risk factors include:
- a family history of hypertension,
- smoking,
- excess weight, and
- a diet high in salt.
Your doctor may also monitor blood pressure more closely if you have another medical condition or take certain long-term medications.
How often should you have a blood pressure check?
No single schedule fits everyone. If you are 40 or older and haven’t had your blood pressure checked in several years, it is worth getting it measured. People with known hypertension or increased risk may need more frequent monitoring.
You can also monitor blood pressure at home. Pay attention to the proper technique: Sit relaxed, with your feet flat on the floor and your arm supported. For a more reliable picture, it’s best to repeat the measurement after a short time.
If your doctor has asked you to monitor your blood pressure at home, follow their recommended schedule rather than relying on occasional readings.
When should you get blood glucose screening?
For someone with normal blood glucose results, current recommendations (such as the American Diabetes Association’s 2026 Standards of Care) suggest starting blood glucose screening at age 35 and then repeating it at least every three years.
Although the right interval depends on risk factors, earlier or more frequent testing may be appropriate based on weight, family history, and other health conditions.
Rather than following a general screening schedule, a routine appointment with your GP is a useful opportunity to discuss which checks make sense for your age, medical history, and lifestyle.
Where can English speakers get these health checks in Budapest?
For foreigners living in Hungary, knowing what to check may be easier than knowing where to go, especially if discussing medical history or test results in Hungarian is difficult.
You can have your blood pressure measured in various healthcare settings. Private healthcare providers in Budapest also offer blood glucose screening and laboratory testing.
FirstMed Budapest provides primary care and health screening in English at its clinic in Hattyúház, near Széll Kálmán tér. An annual health exam includes a review of medical history and lifestyle factors, a thorough physical examination, blood pressure measurement, and a range of lab tests.
For patients who need blood glucose testing, lab tests help a doctor assess glucose levels and determine whether further investigation or follow-up is necessary.
Having consultations, testing, and results explained in English can make routine preventive care easier to navigate for internationals living in Budapest.
What should you do with an unexpected result?
Try not to interpret one number on its own. A higher-than-expected blood pressure or blood glucose reading may need follow-up, but a single result is not the same as a confirmed diagnosis. The circumstances in which the measurement was taken also matter.
This is especially important to know at an event like the Budapest Marathon, where participants may have recently exercised, eaten, consumed caffeine, or experienced the normal excitement and stress of a race day.
If you get an unexpected result, discuss it with a healthcare professional. They may help interpret it, decide whether to repeat the test under standardized conditions, or determine whether additional assessment is appropriate.
The hundreds of quick checks carried out during the Budapest Marathon weekend offered a simple reminder: preventive healthcare is not only for people who feel unwell. Knowing a few basic numbers can be a useful starting point for understanding your health, whether you have just completed a marathon or your running shoes have been sitting untouched for years.
For more about FirstMed’s health activities at the 2026 SPAR Budapest Marathon Festival, read the full story on firstmed.hu.
I exercise regularly. Do I still need health checks?
Yes. Regular physical activity is a significant part of maintaining good health, but it doesn’t eliminate every risk factor. For example, high blood pressure often causes no symptoms. Age, family history, and other health factors can also increase your risk.
Can I tell if my blood pressure is high from how I feel?
Usually not. Many people with high blood pressure feel completely well. Measuring it is the only way to know whether your number is elevated.
Does one high blood pressure reading mean I have hypertension?
Not necessarily. Blood pressure varies, and diagnosis usually requires additional measurements. Depending on the result, a healthcare professional may suggest repeat clinic readings, home monitoring, or 24-hour ambulatory monitoring.
At what age should I start checking my blood sugar?
Current diabetes guidelines recommend screening adults from age 35, unless other factors indicate earlier testing. Testing may be appropriate sooner for people with certain risk factors, including overweight or obesity combined with factors such as a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease.
How often should I have a blood sugar test if my results are normal?
For people without diabetes or prediabetes, repeating screening at least every three years is generally considered reasonable. However, more frequent testing may be recommended depending on your risk factors or changes in your health.
Where can I arrange an English-language health check in Budapest?
FirstMed Budapest provides English-language medical care, health screening and in-house laboratory services at its clinic in Hattyúház, Hattyú utca 14, near Széll Kálmán tér.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
