Lifestyle diseases and coronavirus – know your numbers to help keep you healthy

As the number of Covid-19 infections increases exponentially, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has expressed concern about the huge risk group of South Africans suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

In other words, comorbidities.

Comorbidity and comorbid conditions are common medical terms that refer to one or more diseases or conditions that occur with another condition in the same person at the same time.

“The worry is born of the fact that these are the most common underlying medical conditions of those who have died of Covid-19 to date,” Mkhize said.

‘‘The most commonly associated comorbidities are hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and obesity.

“These risks are important to take into account because they are serious factors when it comes to the conduct of the Covid-19 infection.”

Two years ago, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Medical Research Council described the problem of these non-communicable diseases as an ‘emerging epidemic’.

Bonitas Medical Fund explained why you need to keep your finger on the pulse of your wellness numbers.

• Weight and BMI:

Almost 70 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men are overweight or obese.

Your body mass indicator (BMI) calculator checks if you’re at a healthy weight.

Calculate yours by:

• Dividing your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in metres (m).
• Then dividing the answer by your height again to get your BMI.

Good to know:

Underweight: Less than 18.5
Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9
Overweight: 25 to 29.9
Obese: 30 or greater

• Diabetes:

Over 4.6 million people in South Africa have diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat.

Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.

There are two main types of diabetes, namely Type 1 and Type 2.

They are different conditions but are both serious and need to be treated and managed properly.

• Type 1 occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. It usually starts very quickly and in younger people. If you have Type 1 diabetes you need insulin injections to survive, as well as having a carefully balanced food intake and exercise programme.

• Type 2, formerly called adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the pancreas makes too little insulin or your body can’t use the insulin effectively. It usually develops in adulthood and is often caused by being overweight and not exercising.

Approximately 85 to 90 per cent of all people with diabetes Type 2 are undiagnosed. This can result in serious damage to parts of the body and lead to blindness, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, impotence and amputation, so it’s vital to be checked.

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The tests:

Test 1: The Fasting blood glucose test – blood glucose is taken before you eat in the morning.

Good to know:

Normal: 3.9 to 5.5 mmol/l
Pre-diabetic or impaired glucose tolerance: 5.6 to 7.0 mmol/l
Diabetic: More than 7.0 mmol/l

Test 2: HbA1c test. The HbA1c levels determine your blood sugar control over time.

Good to know:

Normal: Less than six per cent
Pre-diabetic: six to 6.4 per cent
Diabetic: 6.5 per cent or more

• Blood pressure:

In South Africa, more than one in three adults live with high blood pressure.

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in your arteries – the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart.

The blood pressure numbers mean the following:

The first (or top) number is your systolic blood pressure.

It is the highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart beats.

The bottom figure is your diastolic blood pressure and is the lowest pressure exerted as your heart relaxes between beats.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure or hypertension is when blood pressure stays elevated over time. Hypertension is often known as the silent killer since nearly 33 per cent of people who have it, don’t know it. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have yours measured.

Good to know:

Range:
Normal: 120/80 to 129/84
Upper end of normal: 130/85 to 139/89
Mild hypertension: 140/90 to 159/99
Moderate hypertension: 160/100 to 179/109
Severe hypertension: More than 180/110

If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your arteries (and your heart) and if it’s not treated, hypertension can cause kidney failure, eye problems, heart disease and stroke.

Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas, said, “When you consider the number of people in South Africa with high blood pressure and every eight minutes a South African has a heart attack, it makes sense that we have our blood pressure taken regularly either at a local pharmacy, clinic or when you visit your GP.”

He urged all South Africans to be proactive and take control of their health by getting an annual wellness test done.

“Knowing your numbers will help you manage your health better and that your lifestyle diseases are under control, especially during these difficult times,” he said.

Bonitas has created a Covid-19 hub on their website to help keep South Africans updated on the pandemic.

In addition, the fund has taken great strides to ensure their members receive the care and support they need during this time by providing high-risk members with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, with hand sanitiser delivered to their door.

The fund has also established a Rapid Response Unit (RRU) within their call centre to offer advice and support to members concerned about contracting Covid-19.

As an added bonus, the fund’s virtual care initiative, available on the Bonitas mobile app, allows members and non-members to consult with a GP from their home.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has placed the world in a vulnerable position.

“We are committed to acting in the best interests of our members at all times and are taking key measures to ensure they are supported during this time,” Callakoppen said.