That’s according to a new report by Abbey Business Banking which reveals that in a survey of 300 small and medium enterprise owners, 35 per cent had missed an appointment with their doctors due to a work commitment.

The survey showed that while the average entrepreneur works a reasonable 40 hours a week, 30 per cent of all entrepreneurs are working 50 hours or more, a situation likely to make it difficult to find time to see a doctor or health professional.

Men in particular admitted to having put off addressing a health issue (40 per cent) while only 26 per cent of female entrepreneurs said they had done the same.

Around 49 per cent of entrepreneurs with a business turnover of between £250,000 and £500,000 said they had missed an appointment, making them more likely to have missed an appointment than those with a larger turnover of between £500,000 and £1,000,000 and those with a smaller turnover of £50,000 to £100,000, 31 per cent.

The research provided a potential reason as to why so many entrepreneurs were likely to have put business before health. When asked to list which characteristic they viewed as the key to running a successful business, the most popular option was “hard work”, ahead of traits such as “inventiveness” and “confidence”.

A spokesperson for Abbey Business Banking said: “While hard work and putting in the hours may be viewed by entrepreneurs as the key to success, in the long run, nothing is more important than your health.

“In fact your health is the key to being able to give it your all at work.”