We’ve all heard the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’, yet millions of us in the UK fail to practice this in our everyday lives. Preventative healthcare is a combination of medical practices designed to indicate early detection or even avoid chronic disease and illness.
Below are 5 of the most impactful and universal preventative healthcare measures that are key to supporting longevity by keeping serious health problems at bay.
Blood Pressure Test
A blood pressure test is one of the most important screening methods to identify risk factors for serious disease in adults. Standard tests are quick, easy, and non-intrusive – yet one-third of adults in the UK have high blood pressure and many won’t realise it.
Most of the time high blood pressure (or hypertension) has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong. Testing regularly for high blood pressure can significantly reduce incidents of strokes, heart failure and coronary heart disease.
Cholesterol Test
Cholesterol is a fat-like, waxy substance that helps your body make cells. We all need cholesterol in our bodies to stay healthy, but having too much can clog up your arteries and lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.
Public Health England estimates that up to 60% of adults have high cholesterol, which is known as a silent killer because it often presents no symptoms. By going to a GP and getting a simple blood test, high cholesterol can be easily identified. This can then be managed effectively through lifestyle changes and, when needed, daily medication.
Cancer Screening:
Around 4 in 10 UK cancer cases every year could be prevented. This startling statistic would equate to thousands of lives being saved, as one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. The key to beating cancer is early detection through preventative screenings.
There are many types of cancers, and for this reason, there are a number of different screenings and diagnostic tests available. Screenings look for early signs of cancer in people without symptoms as well as those at increased risk of cancer. The chances of successful treatment and long-term recovery are dramatically increased by early detection.
Diabetes Screening:
Almost 5 million people in the UK have diabetes and Diabetes UK estimates that a staggering 13.6 million could also be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Like many diseases, early detection is important as complications can begin 5 years before some people actually discover they have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes screening tests are a good preventative method for catching the development of diabetes at an early stage.
This can help reduce the risk of a person going on to develop devastating complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, strokes and more life-threatening conditions.
Annual Health Checks:
Regular health checks can benefit everyone and are a great way to assess your overall risk of a number of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.
Regular health checks carried out by the same clinician also guarantees ‘continuity of care’ as you’ll consistently have all of your medical records and data in one place, ensuring that you and your family stay on top of your health long-term.
It’s clear that when it comes to living a long, healthy life the importance of preventative healthcare is paramount. You may not be able to control every illness life throws at you, but taking a proactive approach towards your health and well-being significantly reduces the risk of sickness and serious chronic diseases.
Speak to our team about how you can be proactive.
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