MUST HAVE HEALTH SCREENINGS

Image source: Cleveland Clinic

Health screenings or blood tests are a great way in order to stay on top of your health. Just like owning a car, proper maintenance is crucial for its long life and safe operation. You may think that you’re feeling fine, but you wouldn’t know if there’s any risk to your body as many diseases may not have any symptoms in the early stages. It would be best to still see a health practitioner or your family doctor for regular checkups to help prevent problems in the future.

So to keep things simple, we have created a few infographics of these essential screenings you should have:

1. Cholesterol Screening / Lipid Profile

Cholesterol is a waxy fat carried through the bloodstreams by lipoproteins. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is known as the “bad” cholesterol, carries about 65% of the cholesterol in blood. It builds up in the walls of arteries that feed the heart and brain. Along with other substances it forms a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. 

2. Blood pressure check

Blood pressure is the force of your blood moving against the walls of your arteries. It’s expressed as two numbers:

i) Systolic – the pressure in arteries when the heart beats; and

ii) Diastolic – the pressure measured between heart beats.

3. Diabetes Screening

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results from the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas which is usually an autoimmune process. Type 2 diabetes is a spectrum of abnormalities involving glucose metabolism. This usually involves insulin resistance in which higher amounts of insulin are needed to maintain normal glucose levels.

Read more about Type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes in Malaysia) following the links below:

1) Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

2) Type 2 Diabetes Medication and Treatment

3) Living with Diabetes and Lifestyle Changes