Every 8 minutes , 1 South African has a heart attack . This is a sobering statistic , but the important thing to understand is that with regular screening , you don ’ t have to become another statistic . Screening tests will give you information in the form of numbers ; numbers that convey the state of your health .

Knowing your numbers can make a difference

Screening goes a long way in keeping you healthy Studies show that regular screenings for :

• breast cancer

• cervical cancer

can help with early detection and early treatment . Research shows that regular screening can also reduce mortality rates .

1 in every 3 people in SA has high blood pressure .

Which numbers matter most ? The main “ health checks ” that every South African should consider are :

Your handy test guide

TEST HOW IT WORKS

GOOD TO KNOW

Fasting lipogram

A lipogram measures the exact amount of different types of cholesterol you have .

If your total cholesterol is greater than 5mmol / L on your fasting lipogram this indicates raised cholesterol .

If your LDL level is greater than 3mmol / L , your HDL is less than 1.5mmol / L or your triglycerides are higher than 1.5dL , this is also indicative of a possible cholesterol problem .

BMI calculator

HbA1c ( check for presence of diabetes )

Your body mass indicator ( BMI ) calculator checks if you ' re at a healthy weight .

Shows the average blood sugar levels over a period of weeks / months .

BMI categories : Underweight = < 18.5 Normal weight = 18.5 – 24.9 Overweight = 25 – 29.9 Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

Normal : < 6 % Prediabetes : 6 – 6.4 % Diabetes : 6.5 % or more

Fasting blood glucose

Page 23

Shows blood glucose levels after fasting for eight hours .

• Normal : 3.9 to 5.5 mmols / l Prediabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance : 5.6 to 7.0 mmol / l

• Diagnosis of diabetes : more than 7.0 mmol / l

B-Living Issue 1 , 2018