Online Reporter
Dr Tendai Zuze
Health Matters
MOST of us pay close attention to numbers every day.
We know the balance in our bank account, national ID numbers, the score of the latest football match or even how many steps our smartwatch says we have taken.
Yet many people have no idea what their blood pressure is, whether their blood sugar is normal or if they are carrying excess weight.
The irony is that these are the numbers that can have the greatest impact on our health and longevity. They often provide the earliest warning that something is wrong, long before we notice any symptoms.
Many of the commonest diseases affecting us today, including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, are often silent in their early stages. They can quietly damage the heart, kidneys, brain and blood vessels for years before causing obvious symptoms.
Knowing your numbers allows problems to be detected early, when they are usually easier, less expensive and more successful to manage.
The first number everyone should know is their blood pressure. Blood pressure measures the force with which blood flows through your arteries. It is written as two numbers, for example 120/80 mmHg. The top number is the pressure when the heart contracts, while the bottom number is the pressure when the heart relaxes.
A reading below 130/90 mmHg is generally considered ideal.
Readings consistently above 140/90 mmHg usually require medical assessment and, in many cases, treatment.
High blood pressure has earned the nickname “the silent killer” because many people feel perfectly well despite having dangerously elevated readings. Left untreated, it significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and loss of vision among other complications.
Another important number is your blood sugar level. For someone who has fasted for at least eight hours, a normal blood sugar is generally less than 5.6 mmol/L. A fasting level of 7.0 mmol/L or higher on more than one occasion is suggestive of diabetes.
Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide and, if poorly controlled, can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. Regular testing is particularly important if you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes or are over the age of 40.
Your weight is another number worth knowing, but weight alone does not always tell the full story.
A better measure is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which takes both height and weight into account. A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m² is considered healthy. Between 25 and 29.9 is regarded as overweight, while 30 or above falls into the obese category.
Excess weight increases the likelihood of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and several forms of cancer.
Equally important is your waist circumference, which gives an indication of the amount of fat stored around the abdomen. This type of fat is particularly harmful because it is closely linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Ideally, a man’s waist circumference should be less than 94 centimetres, while for women it should be less than 80 centimetres. Larger measurements suggest an increased health risk, even in people whose weight may appear normal.
Another number that deserves attention is your cholesterol level.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance needed by the body, but excessive amounts can gradually build up inside blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Ideally, total cholesterol should be below 5 mmol/L, although the target may be lower in people with diabetes or existing heart disease. A simple blood test can determine your cholesterol level and whether lifestyle changes or medication may be needed.
Although less often discussed, your resting pulse rate also provides useful information about your health. For most adults, a resting pulse between 60 and 100 beats per minute is considered normal.
People who exercise regularly often have lower resting pulse rates because their hearts are more efficient.
However, an unusually fast or slow pulse, especially if accompanied by dizziness, chest pain or fainting, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
These numbers are not meant to cause anxiety. They are simply tools that help us understand our health. Just as we check the fuel gauge before embarking on a long journey, it makes sense to check the body’s vital indicators before problems arise.
Many serious illnesses can be prevented or delayed through relatively simple lifestyle changes. Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, sleeping well and attending routine medical check-ups all contribute to keeping these numbers within healthy ranges.
Even if you feel perfectly well, consider having a basic health assessment at least once a year. It only takes a few minutes to measure your blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference and blood sugar. Those few minutes could identify a problem long before it becomes a medical emergency.
The most important numbers in your life may not be on your bank statement or your phone. They may be the ones that quietly determine how long and how well you live. Know your numbers before they know you.
For more on health related numbers, contact [email protected]
