Know it. Get your numbers checked
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
Sometimes in midlife, you realise that you are the age your parents were when their health
issues started showing up and you wonder, is that going to be me?
You might eat reasonably well, move your body, sleep well enough, and still have blood
pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar shifting underneath all of it. None of these things tend to announce themselves. There aren’t always symptoms, but things might be changing in the background while you get on with your life, feeling completely fine. Even if you do feel
slightly off, perhaps a bit tired, it’s easy to put it down to a busy life.
A lot of my clients assume that if something were wrong, they would feel it, or their doctor
would catch it. Neither is reliably true. Your doctor can't monitor your health between
appointments, so knowing your own numbers and keeping track of when they were last
checked is an important part of looking after yourself.
I think it is important to know your:
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood glucose/HbA1c
• Waist circumference
• Resting heart rate (optional)
Understand it. What do these mean in the context of your overall health?
High blood pressure, cholesterol and waist circumference can be risk factors or indicators of increased cardiovascular risk especially if there is a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and so on. It is a reason to know your own baseline early, while you still have plenty of opportunity to act on what you find.
Getting your blood pressure checked takes just a few minutes. You may be able to have this done at your doctor's surgery, pharmacy, workplace or at home with a validated monitor.
One reading is a snapshot, so if it's raised, repeat measurements are recommended. Most people put it off not because it's difficult, but because there is no natural moment that makes you do it. After all, nothing hurts or necessarily feels different. So it stays on the list, indefinitely. HbA1c is also particularly useful because it gives an indication of average blood glucose over the previous few months.
And yes, sometimes the number gives you a bit of a jolt but numbers are information, not ajudgement. The earlier you know, the more options you have, and the less chance there is of this becoming a bigger problem.
Act on it.
Once you know where you stand, it’s within your control. It could be about making one or two realistic changes rather than attempting a complete lifestyle overhaul. Things that consistently support healthier blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar over time:
• Regular movement - even in short bursts most days, rather than one gym session a week
• Consistent sleep- poor sleep is one of the biggest hidden drivers of rising blood pressure
• Managing stress load - because this affects your numbers whether you notice it or not
• Moderating alcohol- which has a direct and quick effect on blood pressure for some people
• Eating in a way that supports steady energy and blood sugar, rather than the extremes of restriction or convenience-food overwhelm.
The numbers don't exist in isolation. Age, family history, smoking, weight, activity, diabetes and other health conditions all contribute to overall risk.
You may already know that all of the above are going to improve your health. The difficulty is in working out exactly what applies to you. Knowing is the first step. What matters next is turning that information into action.
Your next move
Don't wait until something feels wrong.
Find out when your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar were last checked. If it's been a while, make an appointment and ask what is appropriate for you.
You don't need to become obsessed with your numbers. You simply need to know them.
Information isn't bad news it gives you choices. Know what is happening inside your body, not so you can worry about it, but so you can look after yourself.
Please get in touch if you would like more information or to ask for topics you would like to see in the magazine.
Carrie
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