Everyone Is At Risk of Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Kidney Disease & Some Forms of Dementia.
NHS Health Check Is For People Aged 40 – 74 & Can Help By Assessing Your Risk of Developing These Conditions
STROKE:
A Stroke Happens When Blood Is Cut-Off From Part Of The Brain & Is A Medical Emergency – The Faster Treatment Is Given The Better Chance Of Recovery.
At Your NHS Health Check Your Risk Of Stroke Will Be Assessed & You Will Be Advised How To Reduce That Risk.
Only Hospital Tests Can Confirm A Stroke But The F.A.S.T. Test Can Help You Identify One In Somebody
- Face: Has Their Face Fallen One Side
- Arms: Can They Raise Both Arms
- Speech: Is It Slurred Or Impaired
- Time: Time To Call 999 If You See These Signs
Avoiding Risk:
Some Risk Factors Can’t Be Changed Such As: Being Over 65, If You’ve Previously Had A Stoke Or Heart Attack, There Is A History Of Stoke In Your Family, You Are Of South Asian, African Or Caribbean Descent
DEMENTIA:
Around 60% Of Those With Dementia Have Alzheimer’s, 20% Have Vascular & Many Have A Mixture Of The Two
Alzheimer’s Is Due To Brain Shrinkage Following Nerve Cell Death While Vascular Results From Blood Circulation Problems
Symptoms May Vary But Common Ones Include:
- Forgetfulness – Usually The First & Most Obvious Symptom
- Problems With ‘Executive Functions’ Like Managing Finances That A Person Could Do Before
- Being Confused Even In A Familiar Environment
- Changes In Personality Or Mood, Anxiety Or Depression
Avoiding Dementia :
Some Things We Can’t Change Like Age Or Family History. The Following Aspects Of Lifestyle Can Increase Risk:
- Lack Of Physical Activity
- Regular Excessive Drinking Of Alcohol
- Poor Diet With High Levels Of Fat & Sugar
- Smoking Harms Blood Vessels In The Brain
- Mid-Life Obesity Is A Risk Factor
- Vascular Risks Include: High Blood
- Pressure, High Cholesterol & Diabetes
Take Action : There Is Some Evidence That Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Risk Of Some Types Dementia Plus Other Illnesses
If You Are 65-74 You Will Have A Brief Discussion With Your Health Professional About: Key Signs & Symptoms Of Dementia, How You Can Limit Risk & How To Access Support If You Need Assessment
Take Action : There Is Some Evidence That Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Risk Of Some Types Dementia Plus Other Illnesses
If You Are 65-74 You Will Have A Brief Discussion With Your Health Professional About: Key Signs & Symptoms Of Dementia, How You Can Limit Risk & How To Access Support If You Need Assessment
CHRONIC HEART DISEASE (CHD):
Symptoms : First Signs Of Heart Disease Typically Are Such As: Chest Pain, Breathlessness & Heart Palpitations
If An Artery Becomes Totally Blocked Or Ruptures This Can Cause A Heart Attack Resulting In Permanent Heart Muscle Damage – If Not Treated Straight Away This Can Be Fatal
Avoiding CHD : You Are At Greater Risk If You Have Diabetes Or A Family History Of Heart Disease
Lifestyle Risk Factors Include:
- Smoking
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Insufficient Physical Activity
- Being Overweight Or Obese
Take Action : At Your Health Check You Will Have A Discussion About Your Risk Of Chd – This Will Include Results Of Relevant Tests Such As: Blood Pressure, Cholesterol & Body Mass Index
You Will Be Given Information & Advice On How To Maintain Or Improve Your Health – If Necessary Including Medicines
DIABETES :
There Are Two Main Types:
- Type 1 – Where No Insulin Is Produced By The Body
- Type 2 – Far More Common : Where Either Insufficient Insulin Is Produced By The Pancreas Or The Body Does Not React Properly – Insulin Resistance
There Is Nothing You Can Do About Type 1 – But Type 2 Can In Some Cases Be Prevented Or At Least Managed By Maintaining A Correct Weight Through A Healthy, Balanced Diet & Regular Exercise
During Your Health Check Your Risk Of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Will Be Assessed & You Will Be Given The Support Plus Advice You Need To Help Reduce The Risk
What Is Diabetes : When We Eat Starchy Carbs Like Potatoes – Or Sugary Foods Like Chocolate Or Cake, Digestion Produces A Form Of Energy: Glucose.
Our Pancreas Produces A Hormone – Insulin – That Helps Cells Use The Glucose As Energy.
If We Don’t Produce Enough Insulin the Glucose Builds Up In the Blood – This Can Cause Damage to the Body
Symptoms: In Type 1 Symptoms Usually Develop In A Few Weeks.
Type 2 Can Creep Up Over Years & Symptoms Such As The Following May Not Be Immediately Noticed:
- Increased Thirst
- Needing To Urinate More Often
- Tiredness That Interferes With Life
- Blurred Vision
- Genital Itching Or Frequent Thrush
- Slow Healing Of Wounds
Preventing Type 2 : Getting Diabetes Is More Likely If You Are Overweight So You Can Make Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Risk:
- Maintain A Healthy Weight
- Lose Weight If Overweight Or Obese
- Eat A Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet
- Make Physical Activity Part Of Your Daily LifeAt Your Health Check Your Risk Of Diabetes Will Be Assessed Through Some Simple Questions & Tests
If Your Results Show You Have A Lower Risk You Will Be Given Some Information & Advice To Help Keep It Low
If Your Risk Is Higher You May Be Offered A Blood Sugar Test & Nhs Support To Help You Lose Weight
Being Diagnosed With Diabetes :
Should Your Health Check Reveal You Have Diabetes Your Gp Will Talk To You About Medicines & Lifestyle Changes That Can Help
Being Diagnosed May Seem Overwhelming But It Need Not Stop You Leading A Normal, Healthy Life. Early Diagnosis Is Important As It Makes It Easier To Manage The Condition.
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD):
The Kidneys Filter Toxins From Our Blood & Damage Can Cause A Wide Range Of Symptoms
CKD is Common & Mainly Associated With Ageing – About I In 5 Men & 1 In 4 Women Over 65 Has Some Degree Of CKD.
