As many of you know, I lost my father to cancer 19 months ago. This experience has deeply impacted me, and I’ve become passionate about the importance of regular health check-ups. If my father had undergone a simple blood test during the COVID-19 pandemic, he might still be with us today. I know firsthand the devastation that a serious illness can cause and I’m committed to raising awareness to ensure we can take control of our health and support our loved ones.
As a nutritional therapist, I feel it’s essential to take control of our health by eating well, taking regular exercise and combining that with regular health and medical tests. In a previous post, I touched on this topic, but here, I want to go into more detail about the types of tests that are important as we age.
The Power of Blood Tests
A blood test is often the first step health and medical professionals take to start a detection process. You can take a proactive or reactive approach to this – either you feel as though something’s not right and you visit your GP or you can choose to opt for or request screenings. Blood tests are incredibly powerful tools that can reveal a multitude of health conditions. They can detect early signs of diseases and monitor the state of our organs.
Here are some key things that blood tests can reveal:
Tumour Markers
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer.
- Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125): High levels may suggest ovarian cancer.
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA): Increased levels can indicate colorectal cancer, among others.
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP): Elevated levels can indicate liver cancer or germ cell tumours.
Organ Function
- Kidney Function: Tests like Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine levels help evaluate how well the kidneys are working.
- Liver Function: Liver enzymes such as ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin levels can reveal liver damage or disease.
- Thyroid Function: Tests like TSH, T3, and T4 can indicate hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
- Cardiovascular Health: Cholesterol levels (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol) and triglycerides can assess heart disease risk.
Other Conditions
- Diabetes: Blood glucose and HbA1c levels can diagnose and monitor diabetes.
- Anaemia: Complete Blood Count (CBC) can reveal if you have anaemia and its possible causes.
- Infections: White blood cell count can indicate infections or immune system disorders.
Detecting Clogged Arteries
As we age, our arteries can become clogged with plaque, otherwise known as a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, can lead to serious health problems. But why do arteries get clogged?
- High Cholesterol: When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaque.
- High Blood Pressure: Over time, high blood pressure can damage your arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup.
- Smoking: Chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the lining of your arteries, leading to atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and contribute to the formation of plaque.
- Obesity: Excess weight can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes, all of which increase the risk of clogged arteries.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can contribute to several risk factors for atherosclerosis, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Here are some critical arteries that can get clogged and the potential consequences:
Carotid Arteries
Function: These arteries supply blood to the brain.
Risks of Clogging: Clogging can lead to strokes, which can cause permanent brain damage or death.
Tests: Carotid ultrasound is commonly used to detect blockages. Starting at age 55, individuals with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of stroke should consider having this test.
Vertebral Arteries
Function: These arteries supply blood to the back part of the brain.
Risks of Clogging: Blockages can cause vertigo, dizziness, and other neurological symptoms.
Tests: Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or CT angiography can be used to check for blockages. Testing should start at age 55 for those with risk factors.
Coronary Arteries
Function: These arteries supply blood to the heart.
Risks of Clogging: Clogging can result in heart attacks, which can be fatal or cause severe heart damage.
Tests: Stress tests, coronary calcium scans, and coronary angiography are used to detect blockages. Men should start regular testing at age 45 and women at age 55, especially if they have risk factors like smoking, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease.
Peripheral Arteries (legs)
Function: These arteries supply blood to the legs.
Risks of Clogging: Blocked arteries here can lead to peripheral artery disease (PAD), causing pain, numbness, and mobility issues.
Tests: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, ultrasound, and angiography can diagnose PAD. Testing should start at age 50 for those with risk factors like diabetes or smoking.
Genetic Testing for Cancer
Prevention is always better than cure. Genetic testing for cancer can identify any genetic mutations that increase the risk of certain cancers, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 for breast and ovarian cancer.
Early tests mean you can take proactive steps to monitor your health and make informed decisions about preventive measures.
Early detection through genetic testing can lead to earlier interventions and significantly improve the chances of successful treatment, ultimately saving lives and reducing the emotional and financial burdens of battling advanced-stage cancer.
Age-Appropriate Health Screenings
Regular health screenings are available at different stages of life. Check with your healthcare provider what’s available – here’s a guide on what tests to consider:
20s and 30s
- Blood pressure checks every 2 years.
- Cholesterol test every 4-6 years.
- Blood glucose test if overweight or with a family history of diabetes.
- Pap smear and HPV test for women every 3-5 years.
40s
- Annual blood pressure check.
- Cholesterol test every 1 years.
- Diabetes screening every 3 years.
- Mammograms for women every 1-2 years.
- Eye exams every 2 years.
The 50s and Beyond
- Colonoscopy every 10 years.
- Bone density test for osteoporosis.
- Annual mammograms for women.
- PSA test for prostate cancer in men.
- Regular screenings for hearing and vision loss.
In the UK the NHS often contact you when you reach a certain age to offer free checks, screenings and tests. I would encourage you to take these tests and to encourage your parents and older loved ones to do the same – they really can help detect potential health issues early and increase the chances of effective treatment.
If you like to take a more holistic approach, early detection means you can make the necessary lifestyle and wellness choices to heal yourself.
Regular Health Check-ups: Conclusion
I truly believe regular health check-ups can save lives. They provide a way to catch potential health issues before they become serious problems. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned from my father’s experience, it’s that we should never take our health for granted.
Encourage those around you to stay on top of their health and get the necessary tests done regularly. Together, with a nutritious diet, regular exercise and wellness activities, we can help each other live healthier, longer lives.
Remember, your health is your wealth. Take care of it.