I've had my Health Check - what happens now?

We asked Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Discovery Health's Chief Clinical Officer for some expert tips.

"If you and every member of your family has booked and had this important series of preventive screening tests, you've taken a healthy step in the right direction when it comes to looking after your overall state of health," says Dr Nematswerani.

"As of 1 January 2023, you'll also have unlocked a once-off benefit called the WELLTH Fund which is aimed at helping you to potentially detect health risks as early as possible so that appropriate treatments and interventions can be implemented as needed."

Why are Health Checks important to do?

The basic physical health screenings involved in the Health Check are a simple and helpful way for you to better understand your state of health. They're also an important opportunity to potentially detect health risks before they advance and develop into more serious health conditions.

As a member of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, these annual Heath Checks are covered and include measurements of your:

• Blood pressure
• Blood glucose levels
• Cholesterol levels
• Weight or body mass index

The assessment also includes a:

• Non-smokers declaration

These tests are important because they help you to:

• Understand your individual health status
• Become aware of any possible health risks
• Learn about what you can do to reduce these risks for better health outcomes
• Lower potential healthcare costs over time
• Better inform appropriate healthcare providers of your condition so that they can implement appropriate care for you
• Access additional cover for further screenings through the WELLTH Fund

What should you do with your results?

"Your next steps are largely dependent on the kinds of results you received during your check up," says Dr Nematswerani.

If all your results are within a healthy range...

"This is the best outcome anyone can receive from their Health Check. It doesn't necessarily mean that you can be complacent with your health though."

"On the plus side, it does mean that you're taking good care of yourself and you should continue to do so. Over and above healthy levels of exercise and good nutrition, you should continue going for your annual Health Checks and screenings to better your odds of detecting a risk that may develop down the line as early as possible."

"Our health is never consistent. We're all prone to ups and downs. So, remaining proactive about taking care of yourself and those you love as best you can all the time is the best way to maintain your quality of life," Dr Nematswerani advises.

"Should a risk factor develop, odds are your screenings will ensure that they're picked up early enough to better manage or treat, and even prevent the advancement of severe disease. So, having results in healthier ranges puts you on the right path to a longer and healthier life. It's up to you to try and keep it that way with proactive behaviours that take the best care of your greatest asset - your health."

If your blood pressure results indicated potential risks...

"Blood pressure can swing towards two extremes and either sit in a low or high range. These ranges are also classified in stages depending on their level of risk severity. Both have their own set of risk factors that may very well require medical intervention," Dr Nematswerani explains.

"In many instances, there will be two recommended treatment or management streams - self-care and/or medication. But first, a qualified healthcare professional may need to make a diagnosis."

"If your blood pressure is either low or high - even if slightly - at the time of your check, it's best to book a consultation with your GP for further examination as soon as possible. From there, a thorough examination will be conducted, and your physician will determine the best course of action from there."

"It may mean a few consultations with your GP or monitoring checks at a wellness clinic as well as homecare guidance you can implement to adjust specific aspects of your lifestyle. Perhaps you need to increase exercise activity or reduce the consumption of certain foods and beverages - like sugar, caffeine, alcohol and salt. You may also be advised to purchase an at-home blood pressure monitor and document regular readings yourself. These can be simple fixes for small out of range measurements."

"In other instances, your doctor may also wish to conduct a series of other screenings or put your through a diagnostic test if a chronic condition is strongly suspected. In this case, you may be able to fund these through the WELLTH Fund. If you purchase a SAHPRA (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority) registered blood pressure monitor with NAPPI codes, you can claim this against the WELLTH Fund too."

"If your Health Check reading fell into a high-risk range, the sooner you see your doctor the better. If, for instance, your blood pressure was exceptionally high, or exceptionally low, it means you need swift medical attention to diagnose the cause and treat."

If your blood glucose and cholesterol levels were raised...

"High blood glucose levels f (hyperglycaemia) and low blood glucose levels hypoglycaemia both require medical intervention and treatment, as well as some lifestyle adjustments," says Dr Nematswerani.

"In this instance, chances are you may already be experiencing symptoms like feeling very hungry or thirsty, tired or be experiencing blurry vision."

"It's best to book a consult with your healthcare practitioner for a thorough examination. It's likely that he or she will want to test further - especially if it is diabetes related - and will recommend more screening examinations, which your WELLTH Fund may cover."

"You can also purchase yourself a qualifying glucometer and claim against the WELLTH Fund and monitor your levels regularly at home as part of your treatment or management process. Your doctor can help you to best understand how to interpret these readings," she explains further.

"In the case of cholesterol, lifestyle adjustments - especially in relation to diet - and medical intervention may be required too. Again, a consult with your GP is in order. The doctor will likely recommend a blood test taken before eating (a fasting blood sample) to determine your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride (a type of fat in the blood) levels. The results of these tests will guide the diagnosis."

"In such instances, medications may be prescribed, as well as recommendations to lose weight, eat a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly and quit smoking (where applicable)."

"You can also purchase a qualifying cholesterol meter for home use and claim it against the WELLTH Fund while you work on improving your physical condition."

If weight is a problematic area for you...

"Excess weight tends to contribute to the development of numerous health problems and diseases. Losing weight in a healthy way will have a good knock-on effect. Chances are your other health check metrics are related to a possible weight issue, and so when you make the effort to resolve this challenge, the other areas of concern will improve too," advises Dr Nematswerani.

"Depending on your circumstances, it's best to consult with your GP and even bring on board a nutritionist or dietician to help you manage your diet in healthier ways. Your doctor will also guide you on the safest types of exercise you can benefit from. And from there, you can start a programme that will help you reap the benefits safely. In the interim, your doctor will likely monitor your overall health condition, to ensure that you continue to get healthier as you progress."

It's well-worth getting that Health Check done every year

"It offers you a "head's up" of sorts, which affords you an opportunity to improve your overall condition of health - oftentimes before a risk factor develops into something more serious. If there is anything of concern, you can work closely with healthcare professionals to reduce your risk and prevent a further decline in your overall health. The sooner you act on managing a health concern, the better. Preventive care really is "the best medicine", she concludes.

Learn more about the WELLTH Fund and the kind of cover you'll have access to when you do your Health Check here.

DISCLAIMER