Page 15 - Dainfern Precinct Living issue 7 2022

Health & Wellness

Image: National Cancer Institute

This Women’s Month, women are being encouraged to make 10

their health a priority by scheduling overdue health checks.

ealth screenings should generally be done even though most pharmacy clinics or at your GP,” says Nicole Jennings,
you feel healthy. The aim is to detect disease at an early spokesperson for leading local pharmaceutical company,
Hstage before symptoms become noticeable. In most Pharma Dynamics. “A blood pressure screening should be done
cases, treating a disease early on provides a better prognosis. annually from the age of 18. A normal reading should be below
Regular health checks can also help to reduce risk factors and/ 120/80 mm Hg.”
or treat abnormalities that could lead to more serious disease
later on. 2. CHOLESTEROL CHECK
This check assesses your risk for developing heart disease or
The screenings you’ll need typically change as you age, but stroke. You should have this done at least every five years from
here’s a list of the ten essential health checks women should the age of 20. However, if you have a history of cardiovascular
prioritise. disease in your family or suffer from it, you should have it done
more regularly. A normal cholesterol level should be less than
1.BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING 5 mmol/l. If yours is higher, make a plan to see your doctor.
High blood pressure is called the silent killer since it typically
doesn’t cause any symptoms, but has a devastating effect on 3. BLOOD GLUCOSE
your health. Research conducted in South Africa shows that Women aged 45 and older should get their blood glucose
high blood pressure rates among women have climbed in the checked every three years to detect their risk for diabetes. A
last two decades. A study sample comprising 7 740 women fasting plasma glucose reading of 6.1 - 6.9 mmol/l and higher
pointed to an increase in hypertension prevalence from 31% to may indicate that you’re prediabetic, while anything more than
48% during this time. or equal to 7 mmol/l indicates diabetes.

“Almost all diseases, disabilities and deaths caused by high 4. HIV
blood pressure are preventable. So, roll up your sleeve Given the high rate of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, it’s
and get your blood pressure checked. This can be done at recommended that women get tested once a year. This

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