Silent Killers: Unveiling the Warning Signs of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Hyperlipidemia

• High blood pressure does not usually involve any outward symptoms, but it can cause significant damage to blood vessels and the heart, placing patients at risk of developing chronic health conditions such as coronary artery disease. Between 90 and 95% of high blood pressure cases are idiopathic, although certain risk factors can play a key role, including aging, being overweight, diet, and genetics.
• Regular health screening to prevent and dete
• ct any conditions at the outset combined with a nutritious diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and mental wellbeing are all vital to maintaining a healthy body.

Undergoing health screening despite not showing any outward symptoms or doing so due to slight irregularities can be effective in detecting conditions that may otherwise remain undiscovered. This can then enable medical staff to track the condition or treat it at the outset. In doing so, doctors can then advise the patient on making lifestyle modifications to prevent the condition developing, decelerate its development, and reduce the likelihood of any complications occurring. Additionally, paying attention to other key aspects of health, including a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and at a suitable intensity, practicing techniques to improve mental wellbeing, and getting good quality sleep each night, are all considered vital components to maintaining a healthy body and mind.

Diabetes is on the rise among Thais, and it has been found to be affecting people of younger ages than ever before. Indeed, a survey of data related to Thai people aged 35 and above found that up to 9.5% had been diagnosed with diabetes. However, just 2 out of 3 were aware that they had the condition, leaving 1 out of 3 having not yet been diagnosed and treated for diabetes.
Diabetes is considered a silent danger than can affect people of any age and gender as it often involves no symptoms whatsoever. Blood glucose level screening is one of the only ways to diagnose the disorder effectively. As such, most diabetes cases are only diagnosed during annual health check-ups.
 
There are several recognized techniques used in the diagnosis of diabetes, including a fasting (at least 8 hours) blood glucose assessment. A healthy blood glucose level is less than 100 mg/dL, so if a patient has levels over 126 mg/dL, they are considered diabetic. Hence, patients found to have glucose levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL are considered at risk of developing diabetes or are referred to as prediabetic.
 
In addition to blood glucose level screening, a Hemoglobin A1C – HbA 1C assessment is a method that can be used to analyze a patient’s accumulated glucose levels stretching back 2–3 months. Healthy HbA1C levels are those less than 5.7 mg%, with levels between 5.7 and 6.4 mg% considered prediabetic, and those over 6.5 mg% considered diabetic.

High blood pressure requires special care and attention otherwise it can lead to more serious health conditions, such as heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Blood pressure considered normal is 120/80 mmHg, blood pressure levels of 140/90 mmHg and above should now be diagnosed as high.

The scariest aspect of high blood pressure is that 90–95% of sufferers are unable to identify the true cause of their condition. However, there are several associated risk factors, including aging, being overweight, an unhealthy diet, or genetics. Moreover, despite not involving symptoms, high blood pressure can silently cause significant damage to blood vessels and the heart, resulting in the development of dangerous, chronic health disorders such as coronary artery disease.

Blood lipid levels are a key indicator associated with the risk of developing arteriosclerosis, stenosis, and occlusion. As such, hyperlipidemia is a vital risk factor behind the onset of coronary artery disease. Patients with this condition are at a greater risk of suffering a stroke that can result in partial paralysis, full paralysis, or even loss of life. Cholesterol levels considered healthy are those not exceeding 200 mg/dL, while triglyceride levels should not exceed 150 mg/dL, with healthy levels for HDL being those over 60 mg/dL, and for LDL being no more than 130 mg/dL.

Heart disease is any condition that impairs cardiovascular function. Examples of such conditions are coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, congenital heart conditions, or arrhythmia. The risk factors associated with the onset of heart disease are as follows: aging, genetics, diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, obesity, a diet high in fat, regular consumption of alcohol, and a lack of regular exercise. Such conditions can cause pain and tightness in the chest, palpitations, breathlessness, exhaustion. 
 
The fact that heart disease is a major cause behind loss of life in both males and females means that heart screening in various forms and in accordance with the advice of expert cardiologists can play a key role in reducing the risks it can otherwise pose. Such screening techniques can help provide timely diagnoses that enable treatment at the outset. For instance, a calcium CT score assessment of greater than 400 is an indicator that stenosis is quietly developing, which significantly increases the risk of ischemic heart disease. Fortunately, adjusting diet and undertaking a suitable exercise regime can improve heart health in these patients. However, such adjustments must only be made after consideration has been given to the benefits and limitations of each aspect.

High blood pressure is the biggest factor behind stroke occurrence, which is why blood glucose level screening, blood pressure analysis, and blood lipid level tests are the basic forms of screening used to diagnose cerebrovascular disease. In cases where stroke risk has been detected, patients may be required to undergo additional forms of testing, such as arterial inflammation screening (C-reactive protein screening), an electrocardiogram testing to screen for arrhythmia, a transcranial doppler ultrasound, and a carotid duplex ultrasound. Undergoing a range of tests can enable doctors to pinpoint the location of any irregularities and ensure that any stroke risk is detected before symptoms present more accurately.

Although annual health check-ups are no guarantee that patients will remain free from dangerous disease, they can be effective in helping medical staff to detect asymptomatic conditions at the outset. If screening is supplemented with a healthy diet, it can provide a 360°, comprehensive approach to maintaining good health. This means avoiding fatty and overly rich foods, exercising regularly, reducing exposure to stress, getting plenty of rest each night, being observant for any irregularities affecting health, and consulting regularly with doctors regarding techniques used to reduce the chance of falling ill.

The Samitivej HEALTH RACE Program: No need to wait until you are sick to seek medical advice 

The Health Race program is a comprehensive healthcare plan designed to help you break your own personal records which, in addition to detailing how best to make the most of your body, can also improve the way you care for your health in the long-term. Our program can help you achieve these goals with what we call your personal “Health Companion”, helping you become healthier through the 4 types of wellbeing. These 4 key aspects involve careful monitoring of progress throughout the duration of the program to ensure you feel confident in your abilities. A personalized program specially designed to suit your unique needs allows you to choose your own route towards achieving your set goals.

For those interested in a comprehensive healthcare plan, our experts can help design a personalized program that provides close monitoring of your progress. Alternatively, those using this program as a form of annual health screening, especially those who have had irregularities detected in their laboratory results, can receive medical advice regarding lifestyle adjustments necessary to prevent against serious symptoms, as well as recommendations on lifelong medication.For more information, please contact our Wellness Center to enable one of our health companions to contact you and provide all the information necessary to help you make a decision regarding our HEALTH RACE program.