diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 76909cb..7feb4df 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -80,7 +80,12 @@ check "Database can perform a simple query" do
 end
 
 check "Database migrations are up to date" do
-  make_sure ActiveRecord::Migration.check_all_pending! == nil
+  # Primary database only, read-only, ~ms. Deliberately NOT
+  # ActiveRecord::Migration.check_all_pending! — that walks EVERY configured
+  # connection pool (queue/cache/cable in a Solid-* app) and blocks on pool
+  # checkout under load, which can push a healthy page into check-timeout
+  # territory. Seen in production: 122ms idle, >10s under traffic.
+  make_sure !ActiveRecord::Base.connection.pool.migration_context.needs_migration?
 end
 
 check "Disk space usage is below 90%" do
diff --git a/examples/allgood.rb b/examples/allgood.rb
index ecca106..c7ebfc6 100644
--- a/examples/allgood.rb
+++ b/examples/allgood.rb
@@ -38,7 +38,12 @@
 end
 
 check "Database migrations are up to date" do
-  make_sure ActiveRecord::Migration.check_all_pending! == nil
+  # Primary database only, read-only, ~ms. Deliberately NOT
+  # ActiveRecord::Migration.check_all_pending! — that walks EVERY configured
+  # connection pool (queue/cache/cable in a Solid-* app) and blocks on pool
+  # checkout under load, which can push a healthy page into check-timeout
+  # territory. Seen in production: 122ms idle, >10s under traffic.
+  make_sure !ActiveRecord::Base.connection.pool.migration_context.needs_migration?
 end
 
 # --- IMAGE PROCESSING ---