Annual health check-ups have become quite a norm these days, and many companies and health insurance companies usually offer them to their employees or insurees. The aim is to detect any problem at an early stage, because the sooner a condition is found, the easier it is to treat.
Most people who voluntarily sign up for check-ups are those who are not old and weak. Deep down, they go for confirmation that they are still strong and healthy. Most of the time, results are normal, with a few concerns here and there.
Doctors who read the results of health check-ups are sometimes too busy to clarify how certain concerns should be addressed. Common concerns are:
• Slightly high cholesterol levels
• Mild anemia
• Slightly enlarged heart
• Low HDL levels
• Slightly high blood pressure
• Weight a few kilogrammes above the healthy range
As a cardiologist who only gets to meet patients to whom heart disease has already paid a visit, I find that:
• Those with high cholesterol levels are recommended to avoid fatty foods
• Those with low HDL levels are recommended to exercise (a suggestion usually offered without much explanation)
• Those with blood pressure around 140/90mmHg are recommended to avoid salty food and lose weight
• Those who are overweight are recommended to lose weight, without any suggestions or explanations
Year after year, these people get the same results and recommendations. Nothing changes during the 12 months in between their check-ups.
Often, we can change our lifestyles to make things better, but sometimes, if the person doesn’t care, why waste money and time?
Some people visit a cardiologist for an annual heart check-up via the treadmill test. When results are not satisfactory, they request another test, as they are not sure if the results are accurate. What they really want is a doctor to tell them, “Nothing is wrong with you.”
When a person discovers his cholesterol levels are high, what he needs to do is take measures to lower it, not have another test in hopes that the results will change. Even if levels are just slightly high, changing a few habits can help — avoiding animal fats, dairy products and deep-fried foods, for example. You can still have these things in moderation — after all, if you are too strict, the diet won’t stick — but for many, this dietary control must be for life, or at least as long as they want to live healthily. Those who wish to live to see their grandchildren graduate or get married will have to put in more effort.
It is also important to exercise regularly, 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week. Walking is sufficient, but don’t forget to do some stretching and throw some weight training sessions into the mix.
If you have to lose weight, cut back on every type of food. Be mindful of when you eat, and only eat when you need to, not when you want to.
These lifestyle changes need to be gradual and persistent. After six to eight weeks, you can have another check-up. If nothing improves, it could mean your body cannot handle fatty foods, and you might need medication to stay healthy.
Even if you’re taking medication, it is important to check your health annually to ensure it is doing its job. This can prevent narrowed arteries in the future.
If you are planning to have an annual health check-up, which I recommend, ask yourself if you are ready to make changes should you see anything abnormal in the results.
Dr Nithi Mahanonda is a consultant cardiologist and interventionist at Perfect Heart Institute, Piyavate Hospital. Visit his website at www.drnithi.com.