Hello,
Measurement of blood pressure and blood sugar is an important diagnostic and monitoring procedure. Maintaining optimal blood pressure plays an essential role in reducing the risk of serious health problems, such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
Blood pressure refers to the force that blood puts on the wall of the blood vessels as the heart pumps blood.
Blood sugar, or blood glucose, is the main sugar found in your blood. It comes from food you eat, and it is your body's main source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all your body's cells to use for energy. Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar levels are too high.
What are the signs that you might have diabetes?
- Frequent urination
- unusual thirst
- extreme fatigue and irritability
- blurred visions
- cuts/ bruises that are slow to heal
- tingling/ numbness in the hands and feet.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important you get tested immediately. If you are diabetic, following these tips below will greatly impact on your health, and if you are not diabetic, you can reduce your chances of coming down with diabetic by about 70%.
1. Eat healthy diet- incorporate fruits and vegetables into your plates and eat in the right proportion. Also do not skip breakfast, it's the most important meal of the day, rather make sure it's a healthy breakfast to give you a boost to your day.
2. Drink more water. Drink about 2litrs of water in a day. That's about four (4) sachets of 'pure water'
3. Sleep well and relax. Adults requires about 8 hours of sleep a day and children requires at least 10 hours of sleep in a day. Sleeping and relaxing helps keep the stress hormones under check.
4. Do not drink your calories - avoid sugary and calories laden drinks. Drink water instead, it has zero calories, it's healthy too!
5. keep active and exercise. WHO recommends that adults (18-64 years) do at least 150 minutes of exercise in a week. That can be easily achieved by engaging in a moderate physical activity at least 30 minutes per day for 5 days. Such exercise includes; brisk walking, swimming, cycling, jogging, dancing etc.
6. Avoid high salt consumption, tobacco use, alcohol etc.
7. Know your Numbers!!! Monitor your blood sugar readings, your A1c, your blood pressure, your cholesterol levels.
8 Record your activities- go beyond knowing your numbers
9. Eat healthy, exercise and live long!
Steps to prevent Heart Disease and stroke
1. know your risk. If you're 40- 75 years old and have never had a heart attack or stroke, always check.
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Be physically active
4. watch your weight
5. live tobacco- free
6. Manage conditions
7. Take your medicine
8. Be a team player