Who wants to live forever, as the song says. Not forever, perhaps, but we’d all like to live as long as we can - so long as we’re well. But what can we do to stay healthy?
Well, we’ve waxed lyrical about eating well, taking care of our mental health, protecting ourselves from the sun, exercising and generally looking after ourselves and yes, that’s all a good start. Sadly though, sometimes that’s just not enough. Sometimes there are factors beyond our control. Genetic frailties and underlying yet invisible issues sometimes lurk, like little ticking time bombs within.
Take Care of Your Wellness
NHS services and our GPs don’t offer routine Well Man or Well Woman checks, yet in some cases, these can be literally lifesaving. Lifesaving when you make the recommended changes and precautions, that is. Take our patient - let’s call him Anon – who is a 53-year-old chap. Anon eats well and exercises daily. He’s never smoked and doesn’t drink alcohol to excess. Anon was pretty convinced that he was fit and well. In fact, to all intents and purposes, he was.
However, he’d had a recent health scare and wanted to make absolutely sure that all was well, so he booked a comprehensive blood test with us. Our full blood tests cover heart, liver, and kidney function; stress levels and cortisol; cancer tumour markers and cholesterol levels. Crucially, results are back within 72 hours meaning action can be taken quickly when necessary.
Action for Health
Anon is extremely glad he took the initiative. Despite his healthy lifestyle and fitness level, his results revealed something unexpected: significantly high cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke – leading causes of death - and atherosclerosis, the thickening or hardening of the arteries.
In fact, Ischaemic heart diseases are the second biggest cause of death in the UK yet frighteningly, high cholesterol rarely shows any symptoms until it causes dangerous health problems.
High cholesterol is usually due to eating a diet high in saturated fat, drinking too much alcohol, smoking, not exercising, and being overweight.
High cholesterol can also run in families.
High cholesterol can narrow the arteries and ultimately block the blood vessels.
High cholesterol makes heart problems and stroke more likely.
High cholesterol is usually only detected by a blood test.
Having high cholesterol is a major concern and needs urgent attention, as the NHS reiterates. Fortunately, in most cases, it can be lowered.
Ways to lower cholesterol:
Cut down on foods that contain a lot of saturated fat.
Eat more oily fish, wholegrain foods, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables.
Aim to exercise for 150 minutes every week.
Stop smoking. This is good advice for anyone, high cholesterol or not.
Watch your alcohol intake.
Sometimes, especially if the high is familial and not caused by lifestyle, medication may be necessary.
Forewarned is Forearmed
Anyway, back to Anon. Armed with this new knowledge, he had a private, remote GP consultation so was able to formulate a comprehensive health and lifestyle plan. To ensure he was staying on track, we scheduled repeat bloods after 3-6 months.
Anon’s case study highlights the importance of routine blood tests, even for those who feel healthy. Early detection is key in so many conditions, and blood tests can uncover hidden issues and potentially save lives.
You can take control of YOUR health and wellbeing. Book your private blood test with us today.
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