Beat the silent killers with some simple health checks
As we get older, it’s the common, but often symptom-free health problems that can have serious consequences if left untreated. Having yourself regularly tested for the following silent killers is essential for staying healthy.
High cholesterol
Put simply, cholesterol is a waxy substance that travels around your body in your blood and can clog up your arteries. The amount of cholesterol you have is governed by two things: the amount your liver generates (which is down to your genes) and the amount of fat (particularly saturated fat) you eat.
High cholesterol itself does not have any symptoms, but the secondary effects include coronary heart disease (the UK’s biggest killer) and stroke (the second biggest killer). Get yourself booked in for a cholesterol test and you can be treated before it causes serious illness. If you are found to have a high cholesterol level, there is plenty you can do to help yourself by eating a healthy diet and reducing your intake of saturated fats.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force with which your heart pumps blood through your arteries. If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure then this rate is higher than normal, putting a strain on blood vessels and possibly damaging or weakening them. This can lead to narrow blood vessels and clots that may cause heart disease or stroke. It also increases the risk of kidney disease, dementia and eye conditions.
Because high blood pressure has few symptoms until it’s caused serious problems, around four-fifths of men and two-thirds of women with high blood pressure are unaware they have it and are not being treated, according to the Stroke Association. The only way to find out is to have your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure can also be hereditary, so if there is a history of it in your family, make sure you get yours checked regularly.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis occurs when bones thin and weaken with age, becoming more fragile. In the UK, one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50 will break a bone mainly because of poor bone health. Bones are made up of cells, and as these cells wear out, they are usually replaced. However, as we get older, they’re not replaced as efficiently and our bones start to lose density. But as bones are hidden by skin it can be hard to know if you are developing osteoporosis. Most people don’t realise that they have the disease until they have a minor fall and break a bone, with any fractures and breaks taking longer to heal. Although there are no direct symptoms, secondary ones can be height loss, curving of the spine, and unexplained back pain. If you suspect that you have osteoporosis, see your GP who will organise a special bone scan called a bone densitometry. Although bone damage cannot be reversed, it is possible to slow the rate of thinning.